The Lautoka Chamber of Commerce, alongside local police authorities, has reported a notable shift in crime trends within the community. While serious offenses have generally decreased, there has been a rise in public nuisance issues, particularly related to alcohol consumption.
Richard Shafiq, president of the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that serious crimes such as break-ins have stabilized, attributing this positive trend to the heightened police presence in the area. He remarked, “At this stage, I could say that the crime rate in Lautoka has been a bit more controlled than previous years. I don’t think there is a crime rate; there are just a lot of drunkards moving around.”
Shafiq pointed out that while Lautoka compares favorably to other urban centers like Suva in terms of crime rates, local business owners are facing distinct social challenges. He elaborated, “Yes, there are a lot of drunkards dancing in front of the shops and people sleeping in front of them. That is the only issue we are facing at this moment.”
Despite these ongoing public nuisance challenges, he expressed optimism regarding the situation, particularly with the increased police patrols leading up to the festive season. “In terms of break-ins and burglary, not that much; I think the police patrol is quite high, especially with this festive season. I hope they maintain this way,” Shafiq added.
Divisional Police Commander West, SSP Iakobo Vaisewa, echoed the sentiment of an overall reduction in crime while stressing the importance of community support. He said, “It’s a general reduction, and I continue to thank the members of the public for their support. I can feel their understanding in them taking ownership of their own security.”
Vaisewa also emphasized the police’s commitment to addressing public intoxication and disorderly conduct, maintaining strict regulations regarding alcohol and drug offenses in public spaces. He reported recent arrests of individuals for public intoxication and minor drug offenses, underlining the department’s proactive approach to maintaining order in the community.
Through the collaboration between local business leaders and law enforcement, there appears to be a cautious optimism that Lautoka can manage its current challenges while capitalizing on the positive trend of reduced serious crime.