By Moses J. Dawoe
-Bong (freelance)
The Mayor of the City of Pleebo, Larry G. Geekor, is urgently calling for increased police presence in the Pleebo Sodoken District, citing a significant lack of manpower in the Liberia National Police (LNP); this according to him is jeopardizing the safety of residents.
During a recent event marking the induction of the Region 5 Police Commander in Harper City on October 18, 2024, Geekor emphasized the alarming rise in crime rates linked to inadequate security resources.
According to the 2020 housing and population report, Pleebo Sodoken District, is home to over 85,750 residents, but is severely underserved in terms of basic security services.
“Currently, there is only one police officer for nearly 7,000 inhabitants,” Mayor Geekor stated, underscoring the unsustainable nature of this arrangement.
He noted that only 14 police officers are assigned to Pleebo City, far below the 85% required for effective law enforcement, a situation he characterized as insufficient for a growing population.
Nevertheless, Mayor Geekor said the Liberia National Police Pleebo Detachment doesn’t have a vehicle for movement to enable its officers discharge their national duties.
In response to these pressing concerns, Regional Police Commander General, Moses Tamba Sepoh, pledged to uphold ethical standards and enhance community engagement across River Gee, Grand Kru, and Maryland Counties as part of the Region 5 police operations.
Region 5 Commander Tamba, also highlighted the importance of promoting female police officers based on their competence and qualifications.
He stressed the need for the renovation of the regional headquarters and the provision of police vehicles to ensure efficient operations in the region.
As Pleebo City continues to grapple with security challenges, the calls to bolster police support reflects a growing need for adequate law enforcement resources to protect its residents.
