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The escalation of armed robberies in Liberia is troubling. Many of the online media that cover Liberia are regularly reporting robberies and other vicious crimes, including physical injuries to the victims. I recently read on one of them of series of armed robberies at Popo Beach, located on Bushrod Island and another in Caldwell.

There was also an occurrence at Jallah Prall’s Community on the Old Road, Sinkor. I have also read of armed robberies not only at private homes but also at hotels! Worse still and most disturbing, an alleged robber was found carrying a police ID. May I hasten to extend my love and prayers to the victims of these horrendous acts and to all those who live in fear in Liberia.
 
Liberians in the United States, Europe and other African countries are retiring, quitting their jobs or just packing up and returning home to join in the redevelopment process. The poor security situation would adversely affect their current zeal to return home. It was in search of safety that many of us fled Liberia in the first place. We love Liberia dearly and desire to return, but our safety remains paramount.
 
Liberians at home and abroad are not the only stakeholders who need to see the security situation improve. Current and potential investors would be hesitant to invest in Liberia. That would be a loss-loss situation for all. We should therefore get proactive to abate the situation while we are still in the Diaspora, hoping that with the involvement of all, the waves of criminal activities throughout Liberia would be a transient phenomena residual of our long period of armed conflict and not a foretaste of the new Liberia.

 

I am a retiree. My dream is to return home and enjoy the rest of my adult life in my back yard, under my plum and coconut trees, as the soothing tropical heat and breeze invigorate me. The last thing I would want to have come cross my mind is the thought of armed robbers lurking nearby. I wonder whether returning home is the right move to make.
 
To jumpstart my desire to return home and to attend family matters, I visited Liberia last year and was afraid on several occasions. The fear begins from the airport. You have to be very careful as you alert from the plane and approach the terminal building. After the hustle inside the terminal, you could remain gripped with fear as you walk outside to get a taxi or meet family members waiting to greet you. There is an appearance that those claiming to help you with your luggage may rob you. There are too many non-immigration and non-airport personnel fanning around arrivals.
 
While in Liberia, I heard numerous stories that armed robberies were at the peak at the Red Light Market and police appeared ineffective to provide security. The situation was so bad that females overly protected their pocket books, cell phones and other belongings; and preferred not to travel alone. At night, I slept sound only because four security guards protected the house. “Security guards protecting the dwelling of a private citizen?” That was strange to me. In the late 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and up to the time of Liberia’s civil unrest, there was never a need for a security guard to protect private homes. Security guards were then called “Mosquito Police” and were stationed only at the homes and stores of the Lebanese and at embassies. Today, many private homes in Monrovia have security guards. Who would have ever thought that almost every home and community in Liberia must have security guards to protect lives and properties? But the real question is, how are the poor people managing as they cannot afford security guards? They are the unprotected targets.
 
I believe government, with the help of UNMIL is addressing the security situation in the country. The President has stated that security is one of the pillars of her administration. Not knowing all of the steps being taken and seeing a decrease in safety, I can only say more has to be done.
 
I am a strong believer of the position that the medicine should be equal to the disease. Serious crime must be treated with serious punishment, harsh punishment. Included in the punishment must be hard labor. Let armed robbers be sent to plant food and construct our roads. In the USA, inmates in some states make the vehicles license plates. In Liberia, we need to make those incarcerated productive. Punishment is a curative measure. We need to put into place a number of preventive measures. I would like for government to revisit the downsizing and right-sizing programs to determine what effects they have on the rising crime rates and on joblessness.
 
I call for an acceleration of job training and job creation. We hear of road construction and I have been told that Liberians are pleased with what they see. But they temper their satisfaction with the road improvements by saying they do not see the large gangs of workers that we were told would help reduce unemployment. We need the heavy equipment, but reduce them as much as possible and let it be evident that thousands of Liberians are working on the roads. This may help reduce crime.
When convicted criminals are in prison they should be provided job training and counseling. When they return to society, they may find it easier to go to work instead of going to commit another crime.
 
Let us not focus solely to arrest and punish the small man. The small man must see that higher ups also get punished; the loopholes that allow them to commit crime should be closed. The small man must see some equitable distribution of income and wealth. The small man must be recognized, respected and rewarded for his best efforts.
Some are jittering about the continuous reduction of UNMIL. UNMIL will have to go one day, but I suggest we come up with more solutions in addition to increasing our own law enforcement personnel. Government should ask the UN and the rest of the international community to put some of the money saved from a reduced UNMIL into providing logistics for our police force. With some of this money, efforts should be made to fast forward Liberia into the age of technology for law enforcement. We need 911 services. We need security cameras in some communities. We need police cars and numerous police depots. We need better screening of those recruited into the police force. There may be no money saved from UNMIL, but the point I make to our government is that funds should be found to close the gap that would be created by UNMIL's departure.

 

As we improve our justice system so both the accused and the aggrieved can know that justice will be applied, our legislature should consider the prohibition on foreign lawyers practicing in our courts. When I get to Liberia, I would want the best lawyer my money can afford. I also want the best lawyer for the ordinary man. Some repeat offenders do not respect the court system and some aggrieved persons believe they cannot find justice in the system. This could have some relationship in the increase in crime. Equally so, weak enforcement of the laws, judgments and decisions encourages many to take the law into their own hands and become criminals also.
 
Madam Director of Police, Hon. Minister of Justice and Madam President, we know all the resources are not there and donor fatigue may be setting in, but it does no harm to lobby that as the troop draw down goes on, some of the funds that were allocated for their presence in Liberia still be used to strengthen security in Liberia. 

The bottom-line is the maintenance of security would be further diminished not only by the troops leaving, but also by nothing else filling the void. Secure our brothers and sisters back home. Let Liberia be saved for us to return. The lack of security stifles peace and development. Safety is certainly a factor in our decision to return home. God Bless Liberia.

 

Julia Gibson-Thompson lives in North Carolina. She can be reached at gibsonthom55@aol.com.