2019 New Year ‘Quieter Than Previous Years’
It was a quiet night for Police officers because they did not record any major crime as the country welcomed the New Year. This was highlighted by Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police Maretino Qiolevu during the Police beat patrol around Suva City on New Year’s Eve.
ACP Qiolevu with 123 officers from Totogo Police Station, Police Headquarters, Samabula Police Station and Police Special Response Unit were present throughout the city ensuring it was safe and crime free as the country welcomed 2019. He said what he had seen on Monday night compared with previous years was that the crowd was far less and the environment was quieter.
“At this time around in the previous years, we met a lot of drunkards around the city, but during the beat this year we have a lot of sober people around the city,” ACP Qiolevu said. “Compared with previous years, we normally had street parties which had attracted a lot of youths and youngsters and Police officers were outnumbered by the number of people present in the city. This year, without the street parties, we have less people with more Police officers on the streets to patrol the city. “For the Western Division, we have 110 officers. More officers are based in the Nadi-Lautoka corridor, which has been a hotspot in the last couple of years. “We mounted roadblocks and mobile patrols around the towns and cities around the country,” ACP Qiolevu said.
“We are closely monitoring nightclubs, especially for underage entries and various hotspots where crimes are committed or has a high crime rate. We also have our police officers doing foot patrolling in these areas and the nightclubs making sure everything is proper.
“In the previous years the street parties attracted mostly youngsters and students. They used to flock in numbers, indulge themselves in intoxications and bad habits but this year we don’t have much of that. “One of the reasons for less students and youths out here tonight is because parents have come to understand their role and speak with their children to ensure the safety of everyone,” ACP Qiolevu said.
“Some of the most committed crimes that normally occurs in the City during the festive seasons are drunk and drive, over speeding, driving in dangerous manners, youths engaged in petty theft, pick pockets, robberies and break-ins. “One of the hotspots in the Suva City is from McDonald’s restaurant to Dolphins Plaza which has a high crime rate. We have a tent set up in the middle of the stretch and the officers are on patrol monitoring the situation.
“When people see the officers around and geared up, it deters them from committing the crime. It stops them and our officers are visible to ensure the city is safe for all.
“The operation will continue until January 15 and if there is a need to continue with the operation then we will,” ACP Qiolevu said.