Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka issued a stern warning to law breakers — that they could not hide anymore — during the launch of crime stoppers at Suva Travelodge on June 20, 1997.
An article in The Fiji Times on July 2 that year reported that government was teaming up with the Fiji Police Force to fight crimes in the country.
“We want the message to go out loud and clear, that government, police and the people are coming together against the law breakers,” Mr Rabuka said.
“That’s what crime stoppers is about. It gives our citizens a new opportunity to play their part in assisting the police to preserve law and order.
“It communicates to the criminals that they are being watched, that they can never tell when a vigilant crime stopper is going to call 360000 with the information that will lead to their arrest.
“I imagine that many who have so far eluded the law will be sitting at home tonight worrying about whether they are really safe. Perhaps they are saying to themselves that yes, I am but can I really hide? Am I securing anywhere now?”
Crime stoppers started in late May but was not officially launched until June 20.
It was an initiative by the police to help curb crime in the community.
Mr Rabuka said by setting up crime stoppers, the public would be assured of security.
However he emphasised that police officers could not carry out their work without help from members of the community it served.
” The commissioner and members of the police force recognise that they cannot have success in curbing crime by themselves.
“They seek a partnership built on trust and friendship with the people, as the best foundation for law enforcement.
“That is why the past three years, much effort has been invested in the community policing, with neighbourhood crime preventions committees cooperating with their local police.”
Mr Rabuka said community policing had brought closer ties between the police and the people at large.
“Crime stoppers is an extension of community policing in the sense that it also aims to create further bonds between the public and the police, and to generally mobilise the citizens against crime,” he said.
Since crime stoppers became operational, the public had responded extremely well.
There were plans to expand crime stoppers with an establishment of a centre in Lautoka and branches in other localities.
While talking on some of the crime statistics, Mr Rabuka said they were all cause for concern.
“While we must not ignore the reality of these or believe in false optimism, I believe there are encouraging factors which indicate that we can improve the situation.”
“We can take heed also from a recent report by the commissioner showing a slight decrease in 1996 in the number of registered crime cases.”
The report stated a 5 per cent improvement in the police detection rate to 45 per cent.
“My sincere thanks go to the media for their strong support for crime stoppers. Publicity is vital for what we are trying to achieve, especially in terms of public awareness, good will and understanding.”
He congratulated Isikia Savua, the police commissioner, for the hard work he had put in that would ensure a more crime-free environment.
He also thanked the crime stoppers board for their splendid work and members of the business community for their financial support.
“I look forward to the partnership between the government, the police and the community growing in strength. Let us continue to unite to protect our society and way of life,” Mr Rabuka said.
“We can never conquer crime — no nation can, but we can certainly give the people the greater security and safety which is their right.”
