By: Morlu F. Freeman Sr
Voinjama City, Lofa County Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025
The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for the Lofa detachment of the Liberia National Police, ACP Tarnue Kerkula, has reported a noticeable reduction in criminal activities ahead of the upcoming festive season, including Christmas and New Year celebrations.
ACP Kerkula highlighted a decline in crimes such as burglary, pickpocketing, unruly activities and movements of Zogoes in communities, armed robbery, and intimidation of marketers.
This success, he explained, was largely due to strengthened partnerships and collaboration with the Community Watch Forum, which has been actively engaged at the grassroots level in combating crime across the county.
“Today we can boast that there is a decrease in the number of some criminal cases in the county because of the joint effort and collaboration between the Community Watch Forum and the Joint Security,” ACP Kerkula stated in an interview.
The ACP further elaborated on the engagement of community members in crime prevention efforts, saying, “Over the year, we were successful to recruit more than thousands of Community Watch Forum members from Foya, Kolahun, Voinjama, Quardu Bondi, Zorzor and Salayea districts to volunteer for their community, and they are all doing well with the partnership. Many thanks to them and the community for the understanding.”
The Community Watch Forum members were recruited by the Liberia National Police alongside other partners to assist in monitoring and addressing crime in their respective communities and across Lofa County.
ACP Kerkula urged continued cooperation from the public, stressing the importance of community support in providing intelligence and other assistance needed during police operations.
“We also want the community to help identify criminals, monitor strange movements in the community, and report them to us or to the Community Watch Forum members for quick action,” he said. “Our children are increasingly taking harmful substances, so please help us bring them to book.”
The police chief’s message serves as a call for sustained partnership between law enforcement and communities to ensure peace and security during the holiday season and beyond.
