As part of its strategy towards effective performance in crime prevention, the Abia State Police Command intends to work with the public in designing solutions to the security problems across the state.
During a town-hall meeting at Umuahia, participants from various cadres in the society stressed the need for a community partnership approach to security and crime management, noting that it was important that all the participants present understood their roles and commit to the decisions and collective opinions as the solutions to insecurity.
While some of the participants also decried the lapses from the Police which they say have hindered public participation, others expressed confidence that the ongoing Police reforms and efforts at restoring dignity and values among the traditional institutions and homes would make an impact.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, all the other efforts by the Police have been hampered but the community participatory approach would ensure that the public perceive themselves as partners and this would restore the trust and confidence in the Police and help improve the prevention and control of crime.
It is believed that the participatory approach by the Nigerian society would ensure ownership of the reform by stakeholders but it was suggested that in considering the model as a strategy towards enhancing effective performance in crime prevention, modalities for sustainable funding should be employed.
