Through the Duavata Community Po­licing initiative under the Ministry for Defence and National Security 1000 marijuana dealings were recorded, 727 drug arrests and 50,000 marijuana plants have been confiscated.

Minister for Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabo­la in responding to Member of Parliament Mosese Bulitavu’s statement said through the initiative, last year the Fiji Police Force conducted a total of 4877 committee polic­ing activities.

“This included visitations to business houses hotels, villages, communities, infor­mal settlements, farmers, schools, religious organisations, Non-Government Organisa­tions, banks, taxis and bus operators and government ministries,” Ratu Inoke said.

“In 2017, it was during the Duavata Com­munity Policing concept that the Fiji Police Force was able to make a total of 727 drug arrests, uprooted 50,000 marijuana plants and confiscated 1000 marijuana seedlings.”

He said the policing initiative has been the partnership between the Police and the community.

“The lead role taken by the committee has seen the members of the community work­ing clearly towards the prevention and re­duction of crime in crime prone areas.”

Ratu Inoke said the effectiveness of the programme was reflected in the 2017 crime statistics report which indicated major;

• Reduction in the overall crime rate by nine per cent.
• Reduction of serious crime by three per cent.
•  Reduction of crimes against women by 14 per cent.
• Reduction of crimes against children by 12 per cent.
• He said in 2017, there were 20,565 cases re­ported whereby 2412 cases out of these were cases from 1997-2016 incidents.

Ratu Inoke said through this programme, members of the community were able to have faith in the justice system and were now coming forward to report crimes.

Edited by Percy Kean

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