SUNDAY-23RD DECEMBER 2007-CRIME -SOLVING RATE DROPS SHARPLY

Crime-solving rate drops sharply
PENAMPANG:
The number of in crime cases solved in the district this r year dropped sharply to 19.86 per he cent from a high of 50.88 per cent last year. District Police Chief, DSP Madang Usat, who disclosed this yesterday, said to date, they have solved 179 crime cases compared to 29O cases over the same period last year. Until November this year, a total of 577 crimes were reported, an increase of seven cases against that of the same period last year. “Despite the drop in solving rate, everything is in order and crime is under control. Police will exert extra effort in crime prevention by making more patrols in housing areas and villages here,” he said during a crime prevention campaign near the Giant Supermarket in Putatan, yesterday, He disclosed that 354 drug-related cases were recorded until last month. an increase of 130 cases from last year. “We hope to get greater cooperation from public and help fight crime,” he said. Madang believed that the solving rate could be improved if everyone cooperates by playing their part. He said one of the methods that could help reduce crime is the implementation of Neighbourhood Watch, adding anti-crime programmes by the private and government sectors, and non governmental organisations are also welcome.