Rwanda National Police

The community policing approach has received praises from residents of Kagarama sector, who say it has improved security in the area.

During their general meeting on June 1 held at Kigarama sector offices, residents observed that the community night patrols and neighbourhood watch have saved them from crimes like theft, drug abusers and domestic and sexual crimes, which they say used to be relatively high in the past.

The meeting was held to assess the security status in the sector and lay more strategies to deal with the security challenges that still exist.

“You can really notice a big change in security. We all know the drug abusers who used to break into our houses even on day light, but after we stood up to strengthen night patrols and became an eye for our neighbours, many of the wrongdoers were apprehended and I think others fled this neighborhood,” one of the residents observed.

Assistant Inspector of Police Gilbert Nsengiyumva, District Community Liaison Officer thanked them for being the solution to their problems and urged them to double their effort to address few other cases of drug abuse, gender-violence and distilling illicit brew among others, which are still reported in the area.

He also commended them for the existing collaboration with Police through provision of timely information which has led to the arrest of most wrongdoers.

“Security has improved in our sector and we have even fight those that still exist and ensure that no one disrupts what we have achieved,” Jean Bosco Kaboyi, the sector Executive Secretary, said.

The district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Florence Uwayisaba also thanked the residents for the strong partnership with security organs in fighting and preventing crimes.

“This partnership is vital to maintain security and to continue to transform our country that is free of crimes and where people move safely at any time doing their businesses,” Uwayisaba said.

She appealed to residents to embrace government development policies to boost their well-being.

She also urged the residents to tighten night patrol and to ignore rumours that intend to diverge them from their development focus.