District Officials Blame Lack Of Police Presence
PHOTO: (L-R) Madam Musu Kanneh, Civil Society Organizations Coordinator for Suehn Mecca District and her counterpart Tyrus Dias of Tehr District
By Gabriel M C Parker
The situation in both Suehn Mecca and Tehr Districts calls for immediate attention from the Ministry of Justice and the government of Liberia.
BOMI, Liberia- Two district officials in the western Bomi County have alarmed over the growing concerns of lawlessness in their districts, blaming the lack of police depots for rising cases of violence.
In an exclusive interview, both officials expressed their frustration over the absence of police stations in Suehn Mecca and Tehr Districts.
Madam Musu Kanneh, Civil Society Organizations Coordinator for Suehn Mecca District, and Tyrus Dias, her counterpart in Tehr District, revealed that the absence of functioning police depots is causing significant problems in law enforcement in the area.
According to the two coordinators, when a crime is committed in these districts, the perpetrators are detained by local authorities but are forced to remain chained for hours before the arrival of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
“We chain them until police come,” said Madam Kanneh. “There are no police depots in our districts, and it leaves us with no choice but to keep those individuals until law enforcement arrives. It’s an ongoing issue that puts both residents and officials in uncomfortable positions.”
The lack of proper police infrastructure has exacerbated the security situation in both districts, with increasing cases of crime and violence being reported. Citizens in these areas have expressed fear over the rising insecurity, especially given delays in responding to criminal activity.
Mr. Dias, the Civil Society Coordinator for Tehr District, echoed Kanneh’s concerns, explaining that the lack of police presence has led to an increase in criminal activities, with many residents feeling helpless.
“The crime rate is increasing because there is no immediate response from the police. We are left to deal with offenders in temporary ways. “
Both coordinators mentioned that the absence of police depots is not only a law enforcement issue but also a matter of public safety and human rights. “Citizens who are arrested for minor offenses end up suffering because of the lack of proper facilities,” Kanneh added. “It is unfair to keep people in chains for hours, especially when there is no urgent police response, but we are doing this to reduce the number of crimes.”
The situation in both Suehn Mecca and Tehr Districts calls for immediate attention from the Ministry of Justice and the government of Liberia. Both Kanneh and Dias are now calling on the central government to step in and support these districts with adequate police infrastructure to maintain order and safety.
“We are pleading with the government to build at least one police depot in each district,” said Kanneh. “This is very important to improve security and restore the rule of law.”
The two coordinators emphasized that the safety of citizens should be a top priority for the government, and addressing the police shortage in Bomi County could help reduce crime rates and improve public confidence in the justice system.
As the situation continues to worsen, residents and officials alike are hoping that the government will act swiftly to alleviate the security challenges in the county.
The call for police depots is a crucial aimed at toward ensuring that law enforcement officers can effectively respond to crime and maintain peace in the districts.