Monrovia – The Liberia National Police says it is preparing to implement new measures amid growing concerns of issues affecting the country.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo/ [email protected]
Some of the new measures, the police say would affect drinking spots, the use of sirens and the removal of children from selling on the streets of Monrovia.
Speaking at a press conference Monday, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman said it is time that the misuse of sirens is attached with consequences such that users will adhere to the rules and guidelines on operating the use of emergency vehicles.
The Liberia National Police says it cannot rule out that consistent misused of sirens.
Though there is no education on the use of sirens, the police boss said the reckless use has caused citizens not to observe its importance.
“The people don’t even know which sirens to respect, sirens have to be organized, and those who are not authorized to have sirens to please willingly remove them from their vehicle, because it is unacceptable for the sirens to be misuse,” the LNP boss said.
He asserted that the police may not have the proper tools to remove the sirens and illegal light, but it is appealing to those who don’t have access to siren to remove it on grounds that people have to understand which siren needs to be respected.
The Inspector General of the LNP said that the Police authority take the blame of the death of the two children that were hit by the Presidential vehicle.
“We sent our sincere apology to the family, since investigation of the police has been concluded and the suspect is charged and forwarded to court and we are take the blame because the suspect is a Police officer and we at the LNP regret the incident and promised to put in measure to stop the reoccurrence.”
Drinking spot, Mmosque and church to reduce loud sound
The LNP Inspector General said the arbitrarily opening of drinking spots and night clubs all over is an issue to be addressed by the Ministry of Public works and regulatory bodies.
He said although the owners of night clubs and bars are tax payers, the playing of loud music is annoying and disturbs other tax payers who are resting.
Inspector Coleman believed that although churches, mosques and entertainment centers wouldn’t be shut down, he urged them to obey the laws of the state and should be given to others.
“Playing music and sitting on the side walk disturb pedestrians, and commuters as the sitting on the sidewalk get the traffic congested mainly the bye-pass Facebook, also no need of putting in loud PA system when the congregation in churches and mosque are already attentive,” he said.
He disclosed that as of Wednesday, all entertainment centers and bars are not allow to play loud music, and the LNP hope that the centers and bars will abide with the law and act accordingly.
“This is not a country of men but laws and the laws have to be enforced, we will be going after it and we are asking all business owners to respect our mandate and it for all communities in the country.’
He said that the positioning of infrastructure, the zoning laws must be respected because all structures are placed anywhere and anytime so the LNP are working with the Ministry of public works to guide us through the process.
The LNP Inspector General stressed that vehicles with tainted windshield should be removed.
“We are concern of the tainted vehicle, what are you hiding, the use of the dark windshield violates section 8.82 of the vehicle and traffic law because it obstruct the driver, we are asking them to willingly take them off and we will forcibly remove it if they doesn’t.”
Continuous wrangling between Police and motorcyclists has been a major issue that has drawn public attention.
Since the last wrangling, the Liberia National Police issued ordered that motorcyclists have a no-go-zone and be off the street by 10:PM.
“As it relate to the issue of motorcyclists, we re-echoed the no-go zone and we don’t need confrontation, trust me if you are on the road not on the no- go-zone and as per the time require there will be no problem, we are asking the motorcyclist to desist from violating the orders given.”
Stay off Beaches
Inspector Coleman said that, “We notice the grave concern of children leaving classes and attending so called super Friday, it has exposed them to danger and we are stepping out our gains so that parents need to provide the guardianship and we asked that the children be warned and stay away from the beaches.”
“Enforcers are instructed to stop the children from attending the beach because they are future leader of the country so they must be protected by the officers.”
Children selling the street
Many sellers across the streets are been selling harmful gadgets between cars something the Police said has caught its attention.
At the same time, children are also seen selling between the cars during school hours something that the Inspector General said must be tackle by the state and parents of the children.
“It is unbelievable that screw drivers, cutlasses, and flower cutter will be sold between cars this must stop because you don’t know who’s selling these tools.”
Inspector Coleman said it is unrealistic that parents will sent their children in the street to be bread winners, “We have too many things instead of running behind responsible people who should know better.”
He disclosed that no selling the street because those in shops are tax payers stating that selling in the street is impeding and causing problem for the pedestrians and commuters.
On the 2017 election the LNP boss said reassured that the public that the police will be accessible and communicate better.
“We are asking you to trust us and is based on neutral respect and the task is beyond us and with respect with the rule of law and we ask that all Liberians hold on to each other no matter political affiliation, if there are concerns it should be addressed through the right channel, lets embrace the understanding of one Liberia.