KPS launches Operation Octopus

People who are spotted on the streets late at night by the police will have to explain why they are not at home and where they are going. The police will reportedly put up roadblocks as part of Operation Octopus that was recently launched by the Police Force Suriname (KPS). Police Chief Guno Roosenhoff pointed out that police units that patrol the streets are authorized to ask people who act suspicious questions. President Bouterse last week announced that he would deploy police and military units in an attempt to tackle crime. Operation Octopus was officially launched on Thursday night. As part of the operation police and military units will patrol the streets 24/7 in the districts Paramaribo, Wanica and Commewijne. The units will also raid locations where gang members are hiding and evict youths from the streets. Roosenhoff explained that the units will tackle youths who assemble on the streets and allegedly make plans to commit crimes. People are expected to leave the streets and if necessary arrests will be made. Roosenhoff made it clear that people who made threats against the nation, retailers and the police on social media in response to the death of a armed robber will be tracked down and arrested. “We want to maintain law and order,” said Police Chief Roosenhoff who added that officials deliberately chose to call this Operation Octupus because an octopus has multiple ‘arms’ which means that the police will focus on multiple aspects during the operation. Police units reportedly arrested two drug dealers shortly after the operation had to launched.