Public commitment sought in Tonga booze crackdown

Transcript

Tonga police say issues of alcohol abuse can only be overcome with commitment from the community.

The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa. Photo: RNZI / Gareth Thomas

Two weekends ago police launched Operation Safe Streets after a surge in fatal car crashes and criminal activity blamed on alcohol abuse.

In the first weekend 137 arrests were made - more than double the typical number of weekend arrests on the main island of Tongatapu.

Don Wiseman asked Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe'ao Vaisuai, who is in charge of community policing, just how bad the situation had become.

PELENATITA FE'AO VAISUAI: Comparing road gaps this year which has reached 12 to the figure of last year. For the whole year last year was only 8 That is one Factor. And the rise in serious crime being committed was another. Having monitored the situation, operation safe streets has come about.

DON WISEMAN: All of these road deaths you are attributing them all all to alcohol?

PFV: The majority of those road deaths alcohol was identified as a contributing factor. From two incidents for example, six lives were lost. The driver of the vehicle, of both vehicles proved to have alcohol before or while they were driving. Prior to anyway.

DW: Why do you think that there has been this escalation in drink driving?

PFV: I suppose one of the reasons would be there is more alcohol outlets now than what it used to be and the easy access to alcohol would be one factor among many. And of course alcohol related behaviour is not a police issue but it is a social issue. And police is doing there part of it at the same time. Of course trying to get the community involved as well.

DW: You want the public and you want the publicans to recognise their responsibility. Do you think that is starting to happen?

PFV: The messages from the police are clear. That we are not going to tolerate. That there is a zero tolerance in any disorderly behaviour to alcohol. So that has been indicated clearly. With the launch of the operation and the number of arrests made of course. And given that no license holder was charged. But because we did our homework and briefed them beforehand. So that is cooperation from them and they seem to hold their parts. Police can only hope that they continue to do that, do their responsibility, we will continue to do our part of course. And hopefully the members of the public would take this seriously about their lives. About the life of their young ones. They are responsible first for their safety and like I referred to before alcohol being a social issue it is a long way and police alone cannot handle the issue on their own. It will need that community stake-holder approach of course. Where we work together with the community the license holders. So that we make sure and proactively of course prevent from happening due to alcohol.