Crime rate in BA drops

The total number of crimes reported in the year 2012 in the Brong Ahafo Region reduced by 35 percent compared to the figure for 2011, the Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Robert Ayalingo has disclosed.

Addressing officers and men of the various security agencies in Sunyani during the 2012 West African Security Services Association (WASSA) end-of-year get-together, DCOP Ayalingo noted that the region also recorded 19 percent reduction in murder cases compared to the figure for 2011.

“There was 70 percent reduction in the cases of rape and defilement compared to year 2011 therefore crossing the projected target of 15 percent crime reduction set by the National Planning Committee,” he pointed out.

According to him, stealing and pocketing, which were prevalent at the lorry parks and other public places, also reduced drastically.

The Regional Police Commander however noted that Brong Ahafo witnessed an eight percent increase in motor accidents last year as against 2011, with a 47 percent increase in the number of injured persons.

He attributed the rise in road crashes in the region to the increase in the number of vehicles on the road and indiscipline on the part of drivers and other road users.

DCOP Ayalingo also attributed the accidents to human errors, drunk driving, non-observance of road signs and road markings some of which were defaced, driver fatigue and lack of maintenance of vehicles, among others.

He indicated that the police, in conjunction with other stakeholders such as the Road Safety Commission, DVLA, National Ambulance Service, GPRTU, Urban Roads and Metro Mass Transit, educated road users on measures to ensure safety on the roads.

The police chief used the occasion to assure the general public that the police would continue to partner other security agencies to provide security for the public.

“In achieving this objective, I entreat all our cherished policemen and women to continue to work with zeal and enthusiasm this year than the previous one with the able assistance from our colleagues in the other security services who are with us all times to substantially reduce crime in 2013,” he stated.

To this end, DCOP Ayalingo charged his officers to zealously organise patrols and asked men deployed to vantage points such as banks, residences and vulnerable targets to endeavour to report on time and leave when properly relieved.

The Regional Police Commander however reminded personnel that the police administration will not countenance corrupt practices and unprofessionalism, adding, “Some personnel are currently working undercover to capture some of such practices on camera and any personnel found culpable will face sanctions.”

Touching on some of the challenges facing personnel of the Regional Police Command, DCOP Ayalingo said Brong Ahafo lacks men and women to effectively man the region, adding that the personnel are not enough to cover the whole region as expected.

“Per the 2010 population census result, the region has a police-public security coverage ratio of 1:1,217,” he disclosed, adding that the region also lost 68 personnel in 2012 as a result of retirement, deaths, disciplinary action and desertion.

He said most of the police buildings in the region are in deplorable condition.

He appealed to landlords to adhere to tenancy agreements by periodically renovating the buildings the police rent.

The event, which was attended by traditional leaders, members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), officers and men from the various security agencies, was used to fete personnel and their families. A bull was presented to the Command by President John Mahama.

WASSA is an annual event of the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies aimed at fraternizing with its stakeholders and partners to mark the end of the security calendar year.