Strenuous effort and professionalism exhibited by personnel of the Upper East Police command has resulted in an appreciable decline in the rate of criminal activities in the region. This is as a result of increased level of partnership and cooperation from the general public as information volunteered to the police led to the arrest of criminals involved in all kinds of illegal activities including as robbery and burglaries. The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Bright Oduro made this known at this year’s get-together dubbed “WASSA” at Bolgatanga. WASSA is an occasion where Senior Police Officers and the rank and file come together to socialize, review their achievements, weaknesses and fashion out remedial measures for the way forward. It is also serves as a congenial platform to deepen cooperation between the public and the police as well as boost the morale of personnel in the service. DCOP Bright Oduro enumerated a number of successes chalked by his outfit in the year under review and announced that in the year 2011,incidence of criminal activities were reduced to a total of 1,843 as against 2,355 cases recorded in the year 2010,representing a decrease of about 21.74 percent. This involves the incidence of robbery, break-in as well as various kinds of theft. Out of the recorded cases, the Bolgatanga Municipality recorded 77 cases of motor bike theft, 11 cases of robbery and 14 cases of burglary. All these were perpetuated between the month of April and December 2011. As part of efforts to clamp down on criminals in the region, the police solicited the support of the public by way of valuable information on those behind such criminal activities and subsequently intensified both foot and mobile patrols in areas and communities that suffered repeated victimization. The move according to DCOP Oduro led to the arrest of one Bukari Issifu, popularly known as Dada who was also identified to have masterminded four separate robberies in the municipality. Three other burglars were also nabbed after they were identified and smoked from their hide outs at estates and low cost areas. Contrary to the reduction of criminal activities in the region, incidence of motorbike accidents cases rose up to 137 in 2011 as against 103 cases in 2010, representing an increase of 33 percent. Out of these cases, 54 persons were killed in 2011, whilst 44 deaths occurred in 2010. DCOP Oduro attributed the increase in the death of motor accidents to sheer negligence and absolute disregard for road traffic regulations. One major cause of motor deaths, he noted was the refusal of motor bike riders to wear crash helmet and appealed to motor cyclists as well as pillion riders to inculcate the habit of wearing crash helmet to save their own lives as well as other road users. DCOP Oduro in his closing remark made a passionate appeal to the Regional Minister and the RCC to make provision for staff accommodation for personnel of the service to help them ensure maximum security at all times. This year’s WASSA event brought together junior and senior officers of the regional police command, chiefs, opinion leaders, departmental heads and representatives from the RCC among other functionaries.
GBC END IA/
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