Editor’s note: Onyokoko Nyore Samuel, the ZENITHBLOG.com partner blogger, explains ten reasons Lagos state government lunched Lagos state Neighborhood Watch (LNW).
Samuel is blogger and poet.
He offers tips and writes articles on security matters.
You can get in touch with him through his email: onyokokosamuel@yahoo.com or visit his blog: http://ift.tt/2idL1mD.
More details in ZENITHBLOG.com’s step-by-step guide for guest bloggers.
The newly branded Lagos state Neighborhood Watch (LNW) is a laudable commendation and something all Lagosians should applaud considering the shoddy manner it was handled in the past.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode when he assumed office on May 29, 2015, saw the potential in LNW and quickly scrubbed the dirt off the old, repackaged and re-branded it to reflect the Lagos which is known to champion the cause of safety and security.
The Lagos state government bought new vehicles, changed the old outfits and equipped personnel with better working tools to make their job more enjoyable, seamless and better.
Lagos state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
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The looks on the faces of old members and new recruits reflect confidence and the-ready-to-go attitude of motivated people.
It brings out that pride Lagos is known for in terms of a clean and smart city where security is given priority.
However, germane questions to ponder are: Is the LNW ready for the challenges ahead in the area of tackling bigger crimes? Is the state investing in the latest gadgets that can expedite and stem the wave of crime hovering around the city?
What’s the agenda of the Lagos state government in 2017 and beyond concerning security? What’re her priorities to bring back the confidence that was once lacking in the state, security-wise?
These and other salient questions will force the government of the state to realign and refocus on other areas such as collaborations, coordination and cooperation with other security agencies.
Ten reasons Lagos state government lunched LNW include:
1. Bring professionals on board
The Lagos state government can’t do it in isolation. They need to invite seasoned professionals to contribute their quotas in putting the security outfit in a proper and coordinated position through experiences garnered over the years.
These professionals will draft a new course of action; propel strategies to weave through challenges and finalized cohesive plans to arrest crimes in the state.
These experts can come from the civil, military and paramilitary. They’ll bring their different perspectives and align it with the cause of the LNW and make it a fulfilling paramilitary outfit.
Again, the state government is inviting these people to be part of the new LNW through collaboration, it’ll ginger a robust LNW that can on its own annihilate crimes of all sorts.
Petty crimes like pickpockets, mugging, snatching, and street harassment to serious ones like kidnapping, terrorism, armed, robberies etc.
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2. Use technology to fast-track surveillance
This is the best way of detecting crimes in Lagos State. The Neighborhood Watch can use technology to monitor activities around the metropolis.
The use of CCTV, fire alarms, access controls, burglary alarms and trackers are the best she can utilize to fight crimes.
With the installation of CCTV around the city’s nooks and crannies, the LNW members don’t need to patrol the every communities..
But to use, check and monitor the activities of Lagosians through these gadgets and fish out these suspected of having intentions to commit crimes.
3. Make use of the water ways
Of recent, stories of kidnappers using the state waterways to abduct people and taking them to unknown locations aren’t new.
The Lagos state government should train members of the LNW on the use of the water ways to effectively put a stop to water ways crimes.
I believe most of these recruits don’t know how to swim and it’ll be sad if they’re taken to the sea or river without proper training.
I say this with all sense of confidence that 40 percent of the crimes committed in Lagos State is through the water ways.
Therefore, the state must invest heavily in water ways security and safety.
Equipment like speed boats, life jackets; gadgets like scanners, teasers, and stun guns should be given to these LNW members.
4. Give military-like training to them
The neighborhood personnel need to be trained properly. Using subtle training methods to discipline and drill them won’t work.
The reason why they’re called Neighborhood Watch is because they’re protecting the communities both on the sea and on land.
Therefore, they need to be prepared for the task ahead with high level training.
These men and women will be facing hardened criminals, terrorists, kidnappers, and the likes in their daily routines as men and women of the neighborhood watch.
They need to be confident and bold when encountering these sorts of criminal elements.
The police authority can be
If the state government fails to do that, then the consequences will be personnel, under the Neighborhood Watch, losing their lives unnecessarily.
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5. They should be structured in military formations
The military works in groups and subgroups. They’ve Brigades, Battalions, Infantry, Signals, Workshops, etc.
likewise, the Neighborhood Watch should have something like that but not exactly in the same manner.
The state government just need to copy and structure the paramilitary organization in that order.
For instance, it should have something like Strategy Hub, Command Center, Monitor Control Room, Emergency Reaction Center, etc.
This kind of formation will enhance the performance of the Neighborhood Watch and take it to its intended pinnacle.
6. Deploy drones
This may sound strange but it’s one of the best ways of using aerial surveillance to enhance the monitoring of communities.
Drones are necessary gadgets to deploy in effective capturing and monitoring of citizens who break crime-related laws and those with the potential of committing crimes.
Drones can scan, record, video, and use audio to perform many important tasks and duties. Countries in the developed world are moving from human capabilities to technological capabilities.
Technologies are not replacing but complementing human efforts in easing the overloads of over-worked humans.
7. Cooperate with the communities
Since they’re duty-bound to protect and defend the security well-being of the whole communities in Lagos state, it’s imperative they liaise and collaborate with the communities in reporting suspicion of potential-criminal-activities and even rewarding them for doing so.
This will propel them to do more since they know that volunteering information to the neighborhood watch will result in rewards−it isn’t bribery.
Communities are the best when it comes to information gathering, information sharing and information deploying. It’s symbiotic and synergistic as well as realigning and streamlining: it’s a two-way-route.
Most times it’ll be difficult to get the communities to cooperate because some of those criminal elements are friends and relations of these law-abiding citizens in the communities.
However, with the proper influencing, their cooperation will be sorted.
8. Pay personnel handsomely
Poor remuneration is the challenge most countries face when it concern defense and control. Consequences of not investing in the human angle of paramilitary personnel are the reason why we’ve so many crimes in our communities in particular and state in general.
Another consequence of poor remuneration is unmotivated personnel who are unwilling to give their best because they think no one cares about them.
However, when they’re highly paid, they’ll be motivated to work and give their best, even laying down their lives so that success can be achieved.
Money is the driving force that transforms beleaguered and lackluster personnel to another that strive for excellence.
9. Equip them with proper kits
Kits are the best in carving out smart and confident personnel. By kitting them well, it can give the neighborhood personnel fulfilling careers. Dressing well is good business, so goes a saying. On the other hand, poorly dressed personnel will look shoddy and unkempt, even unmotivated.
Buy kits like leather belts, handcuffs and teargas, jack-knife, radios, and batons (PR 24). I tell you, the personnel will do their jobs with confidence and pride.
10. Hire a security consultant
A security consult is experienced in many areas of security and safety; who can offer useful advice and decisive strategies in the areas of man guarding, body-guard handling, safety and security instructions, lecture classes, etc.
The Lagos state government can make use of security consultants to enhance the performance of the Neighborhood Watch.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of ZENITHBLOG.com.
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