Erongo police ready to crack down on festive season offences
‘If you want to go drink, get a designated driver’
The Erongo police will adopt a zero-tolerance approach during the festive season as officers increase visibility, patrols and roadblocks across the region.
Regional police commander Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona said the force is ready to manage the annual influx of visitors and will enforce the law “without fear or favour”.
“We are ever ready and we are ready every day,” he said, adding that December requires heightened preparedness. ““We have mobilised all available staff and resources in the region to ensure that we curb crime during this festive season.”
Kupembona confirmed that additional reservists and support staff from other regions will join Erongo operations, though he declined to disclose numbers. He said residents and visitors should expect a more visible police presence. “Everywhere in the Erongo region, citizens must feel safe knowing that the Namibian Police Force is providing a quality service," he said.
Big brother is watching
The focus areas include stop-and-search operations, mobile and fixed roadblocks, foot patrols and checks on unroadworthy vehicles, drunken driving and traffic offences. Hotspots in towns and surrounding farming areas will receive continuous patrols.
“We will cover all those hotspots,” he said.
Kupembona said the zero-tolerance stance applies first to alcohol-related offences.
“Alcohol becomes like the order of the day during this time,” he said. “We will definitely go out in numbers to ensure that we will not allow any unlawful deeds on our roads.”
He urged motorists not to rely on alcohol limits.
“I don’t want to encourage people to go out and consume alcohol believing that they are below the limit,” he said. “If you want to go drink, get a designated driver.”
He said officers will screen drivers at roadblocks and arrest those over the legal limit.
“Once you are under the influence of alcohol, the law will definitely take its course," he warned.
Kupembona added that those planning to exploit the busy holiday season for criminal activity “should rest assured that we will be in full force out there to ensure that we will not tolerate any criminal activity within our region.”
He said offenders should not expect leniency.
“There will be no compromise,” he said, urging the public to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and encouraging those who feel unfit to drive to call the police for assistance.
“We have enough space in our cells, but I don’t want to encourage the citizens to come and spend some time with us. We want them to spend time with their families," he cautioned.
Regional police commander Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona said the force is ready to manage the annual influx of visitors and will enforce the law “without fear or favour”.
“We are ever ready and we are ready every day,” he said, adding that December requires heightened preparedness. ““We have mobilised all available staff and resources in the region to ensure that we curb crime during this festive season.”
Kupembona confirmed that additional reservists and support staff from other regions will join Erongo operations, though he declined to disclose numbers. He said residents and visitors should expect a more visible police presence. “Everywhere in the Erongo region, citizens must feel safe knowing that the Namibian Police Force is providing a quality service," he said.
Big brother is watching
The focus areas include stop-and-search operations, mobile and fixed roadblocks, foot patrols and checks on unroadworthy vehicles, drunken driving and traffic offences. Hotspots in towns and surrounding farming areas will receive continuous patrols.
“We will cover all those hotspots,” he said.
Kupembona said the zero-tolerance stance applies first to alcohol-related offences.
“Alcohol becomes like the order of the day during this time,” he said. “We will definitely go out in numbers to ensure that we will not allow any unlawful deeds on our roads.”
He urged motorists not to rely on alcohol limits.
“I don’t want to encourage people to go out and consume alcohol believing that they are below the limit,” he said. “If you want to go drink, get a designated driver.”
He said officers will screen drivers at roadblocks and arrest those over the legal limit.
“Once you are under the influence of alcohol, the law will definitely take its course," he warned.
Kupembona added that those planning to exploit the busy holiday season for criminal activity “should rest assured that we will be in full force out there to ensure that we will not tolerate any criminal activity within our region.”
He said offenders should not expect leniency.
“There will be no compromise,” he said, urging the public to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy and encouraging those who feel unfit to drive to call the police for assistance.
“We have enough space in our cells, but I don’t want to encourage the citizens to come and spend some time with us. We want them to spend time with their families," he cautioned.
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