Why Crime Rate Is High In Rivers -PCRC

by Uwakwe Uwakwe, PH.

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Rivers State has attributed the rising rate of violent crimes in the state to its difficult topographic terrain.

In a communiqué made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt , the PCRC stated that the state has several exit routwes that are not covered by security agencies.

It noted that most of the violent crimes in the state are perpetrated by people from neighbouring states, who carry out the nefarious acts in collaboration with some indigenes of the state.

The communiqué, which was signed by Hon. Austen Yong and Mr. Jeffrey Anugwo, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, regretted that despite the state government's assistance to the police through the provision of 130 patrol vans with security gadgets, violent crimes still persist.

While appealing to the police and other security agencies to redouble their efforts in ensuring safety of lives and property of the people of the state, the PCRC called on the state government and the police to train more manpower that would collaborate with local folks to mount vigilance at strategic porous points in the state.

The communiqué also appeal to traditional rulers, landlords and community leaders in the state to be more sensitive to the security imperatives of the time and collaborate with the police by giving out timely information through emergency phone numbers.

It however, regretted that members of the public are complacent in reporting criminals to the police because of the unfriendly nature of most of the police personnel.

The PCRC frowned at the interference of politicians and some top government officers in police investigation, especially, when their cronies are arrested for criminal offences, pointing out that such action encourage the criminals to be involved in more notorious and diabolical acts.