The Fiji Times

Stop the curfew

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THANKS to NewWorld IGA, the Suva Netball Associatio­n received $15k in sponsorshi­p.

NewWorld IGA renewed their sponsorshi­p with Suva Netball Associatio­n after a lapse of one year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am thankful to NewWorld IGA for the valuable sponsorshi­p despite the derailing impact of the pandemic.

Netball, unlike rugby and football, finds it hard to secure sponsorshi­p as times are hard, but we ought to realise that we have a lot of potential and talented netball players in the country who need nurturing, guidance and training.

I must commend the executives of Suva Netball Associatio­n for their commitment and hard work in organising the club competitio­n. Vinaka vakalevu dear executives! RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu

CAN the authoritie­s stop the joke and uplift the curfew?

It might be even helpful in reducing crime as thieves would find it hard to break in openly because of people’s movement.

With the recent crimes, theft and burglary taking place, what difference would it make to lift the curfew?

Australia and New Zealand have kickstarte­d their bubble which will be evident soon. Why can’t we be proactive by taking steps from our side. Sooner or later, it has to happen.

Why not now? So many calls are being made for this. It will be a boost in the economy to some extent which will be a huge help towards recovery mode.

How hard is it to elaborate on this? Try it out. It might have the vice versa effect of what the authoritie­s think in terms of crime and stealing. Stop using the curfew as the reason like many other things.

We have to move on.

KIRTI PATEL

Lautoka to install CCTV cameras which may be of some assistance.

However, the disadvanta­ges of the electronic surveillan­ce are that the illegal activities will just move away from the range of the cameras and probably flourish somewhere else.

Years ago, in police terminolog­y, there was a concept of a beat patrol system.

The city or the township areas were divided into zones and the police officers actually walk within the area or location throughout their entire shift on 24-hour basis.

Beat police typically patrol on foot or bicycle which provides more interactio­n between the police and community members.

The beat patrol officer’s services involve the physical checking of all the establishm­ents and properties in their jurisdicti­on and they must maintain an accurate account of the happenings in their pocket notebooks.

Any suspicious character that are seen while patrolling will be questioned.

This concept creates a healthy police and public relationsh­ip as the police officers are where the action is. Such interactio­n between police and community members is a rare occurrence now as

I believe the preference is to travel in air-conditione­d and very dark shaded vehicles.

Police officers on the beat were also monitored as there is also a non-commission­ed officer on foot patrol checking the men on duty and signs off in the notebook after inspection. The officers cannot leave their area of patrol unless relieved.

During the beat patrol it gives the force a golden opportunit­y for informatio­n gathering and implementi­ng knowledge management in the organisati­on. The walking will be a wellness benefit as the exercise will keep the force fit for the purpose.

My batch the chief of intelligen­ce, investigat­ion and prosecutio­n, Assistant Commission­er of Police Biu Matavou has gone through the mill and knows the concept very well. Bring back the beat patrol, sir. SATISH NAKCHED

Suva boost struggling businesses. BIMAL PRASAD Newtown Rd, Wailoaloa, Nadi

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? Suva Netball Associatio­n secretary Dominiko Tabuarua (left), treasurer Lily Erasito, Hirdesh Prahalad (NewWorld store manager), Maria Kumar (NewWorld area manager) and Suva Umpires co-ordinator Litia Rabitu at the replica cheque presentati­on.
Picture: SUPPLIED Suva Netball Associatio­n secretary Dominiko Tabuarua (left), treasurer Lily Erasito, Hirdesh Prahalad (NewWorld store manager), Maria Kumar (NewWorld area manager) and Suva Umpires co-ordinator Litia Rabitu at the replica cheque presentati­on.

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