Criminals are believed to be hiding in dark corners and cemeteries to carry on with their dubious operations.
This form of larceny which involves the stealing of money or other valuables from people’s pockets or houses with the use of arms needs to stop henceforth.
Despite our police officers on night patrols, these criminals still carry out their activities mostly at night and target conjunct places like Westfield, Latrikunda Sabiji, Tabokoto, Coastal Road and Brusubi Turntable.
Travellers and local vendors are mostly affected. Many people have lost huge amounts of money to these criminals in our communities who many believe are foreigners and school dropout boys who do not venture into anything meaningful.
At a time when reports of death continue to increase in the country, last year The Gambia Armed Force (GAF) sent their personnel on night patrol with weapons. This initiative scared criminals and as a result, the people registered comfort to carry out their businesses without fear of being attacked.
In some countries in Africa like Nigeria, their security officers are always on the streets to counter any wrongdoing and they are seen in almost every corner of the city. This is a strategy and the easiest way to respond to crimes, as well as minimise the occurrences of pick-pocketing and robbery.
Parents also have a crucial role to play by giving their children the best home teaching in order to learn how to be content with what they are blessed with and avoid criminality. Parents should endeavour to send their children to school in order to prepare them as good future leaders of this nation.
The continuous increase in criminal activities in our society needs a collective effort to mitigate the activity. Though it’s the right of the Police to guarantee our safety as mentioned in their slogan that their duty is to protect lives and properties, the citizens should champion that duty by helping the Police and report any robbery or attempted robbery or pick-pocket cases.
Marty Rubin said that the “bad laws make criminals out of good people.”