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The daily patrols around towns and villages have not only enforced compliance of COVID-19 regulations but have also curbed the incidence of crime in communities. Since the beginning of April, the Police and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) personnel have mounted heavy patrols in towns and the countryside.
“I do not have the statistics but rest assured that crime has significantly declined due to the patrols to enforce compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions by the communities,” said Superintendent Neo Serumola, the Station Commander of Kutlwano Police Station in Francistown in an interview on Wednesday.
“The 24 hour restrictions which are strictly enforced have kept people at home the whole time. This means that thieves find it difficult for them to target anybody and snatch items such as cellphones or go out for housebreaking or burglary. “When the would-be perpetrator and the would-be victim are locked-down in their respective residences, there can be no thieving,” said Serumula who, although concerned like everybody else about the rampaging pandemic, has got something to smile about for a change.
Lawrence Nthoiwa, Detective Assistant Superintendent and Officer In-Charge, CID, Tatitown Police Station has also experienced a decline in crime in his policing area. “Crime has drastically gone down. The number of reports we are receiving on the usual crimes such as assault, is negligible. This is obviously due to the pronounced and permanent visibility of law enforcement agencies to help confine people to their residences in government fight against the corona scourge”. He appealed to everyone to fear the virus instead of fearing the security organs patrolling the streets. “To keep safe, you must obey all advice from government experts. That way, you not only save yourself but your loved ones too,” said Nthoiwa in an interview at Tatitown Police Station.
