Crime spike in //Karas over Christmas
There was an increase in crime during the festive season in
//Karas last year compared to 2017, the Namibian police's regional commander, Commissioner Rudolf Isaak said.
Isaak, who was speaking to the media in Keetmanshoop, said only one murder was recorded during the 2017 festive season, while three were recorded over the same period in 2018.
Although he could not provide the statistics for all other crimes yet, he said the crime rate definitely increased last year.
“It was definitely higher compared to 2017,” he said.
In addition to the three murders, one case of attempted murder and four cases of rape were reported since November last year.
“Four culpable homicides and motor vehicle accidents were recorded and five people lost their lives,” he stated.
Isaak also mentioned the drowning of four girls in the Orange River near Aussenkehr, while two people committed suicide - one at Noordoewer and another at a farm near Tses.
Sixteen people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and six were arrested for traffic-related offences.
Isaak noted that the biggest contributing factor to the increase in crime is alcohol abuse.
He appealed to lawmakers to consider shortening the operating hours for shebeens and other alcohol outlets as he is confident that this would lead to an improvement.
“We tried our best to be visible through foot patrols and stop and search but still, crime increased. Reducing operating hours would help us,” Isaak said.
NAMPA
//Karas last year compared to 2017, the Namibian police's regional commander, Commissioner Rudolf Isaak said.
Isaak, who was speaking to the media in Keetmanshoop, said only one murder was recorded during the 2017 festive season, while three were recorded over the same period in 2018.
Although he could not provide the statistics for all other crimes yet, he said the crime rate definitely increased last year.
“It was definitely higher compared to 2017,” he said.
In addition to the three murders, one case of attempted murder and four cases of rape were reported since November last year.
“Four culpable homicides and motor vehicle accidents were recorded and five people lost their lives,” he stated.
Isaak also mentioned the drowning of four girls in the Orange River near Aussenkehr, while two people committed suicide - one at Noordoewer and another at a farm near Tses.
Sixteen people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and six were arrested for traffic-related offences.
Isaak noted that the biggest contributing factor to the increase in crime is alcohol abuse.
He appealed to lawmakers to consider shortening the operating hours for shebeens and other alcohol outlets as he is confident that this would lead to an improvement.
“We tried our best to be visible through foot patrols and stop and search but still, crime increased. Reducing operating hours would help us,” Isaak said.
NAMPA
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