It is so sad that The Gambia is registering violent crimes in the very first month of 2024. Within the first month of the year, the country has registered violent crime i.e. first the alleged stabbing of one Fatoumatta Kargbo, a cashier at a bureau de change at Westfield, who was allegedly stabbed to death by one Haruna Tine, a Senegalese national. The second one involves a Liberian lady, whose dead body was found on Sunday 21 January 2024 and is suspected to have been poisoned through food, police say on Monday.
This indeed is not a good start into the year, in view of the lofty, ambitious and re-assuring New Year resolutions we undertook to collectively achieve greater success.
The people were shocked and it is still a disturbing moment for some with the recent alleged stabbing of one Fatoumatta Kargbo," a cashier at a bureau de change at Westfield, who was allegedly stabbed to death by one Haruna Tine, a Senegalese national.
Again, this reminds us of the fact that crime related cases should be confronted head on for the country to reclaim its past glory. Many would attest to the fact that Gambians are generally welcoming and peaceful. This has enabled the country to earn accolade –‘Gambia No Problem’.
In contrast, this is not the case now. The recent surge in crime has left many tongues-wagging over the fate of security in the country.
It’s always scary and worrying, especially people going about their important businesses at night.
Importantly, our different religious beliefs condemn violence and even killings. No soul should be taken just like that as every soul is precious.
The two recent death cases in the country have awakened many and signals what the country is heading to in the coming months.
We want to commend the Anti-Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) for their advocacy and stance in curbing violent crime in the country. It is no hidden secret that their patrols and security, especially at major joints, has minimised crime related cases in the country.
Despite this, there is also a need to strengthen community policing as a complementary strategy to the existing security apparatus.
Every Gambian should henceforth be a police officer. Community policing proves to be a useful mechanism to curb crime in some communities. We cannot leave everything to the security apparatus.
Just imagine, if without the intervention of nearby bystanders, the alleged perpetrator (murderer) of the Westfield stabbing incident would have escaped.
Community policing is key in curbing crime and criminal activities within a country. Therefore, it is high time we encourage and reinforce community policing in our respective communities. This is good and patriotic should act- expose wrongdoings.
Let’s always preach peace and crime free nations.