YESTERDAY, THE LIBERIA National Police (LNP) said in 2012, crime rates across the country reduced by 2% as compared to 2011. Giving the LNP crime reduction rate statistics, Inspector General Chris Massaquoi reported that at least in 2012, about 14,388 crimes were reported as compared to 2011 where about14,758 crimes were reported.

COL. MASSAQUOI OUTLINED that due to various operations and the empowerment of the Professional Standards Division (PSD) of the LNP, Liberians can be assured that they are protected. He buttressed the need for more budgetary support to increase peace and security in the country.

THE LNP BOSS said that as the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) is drawing down its military and police presence in the country the LNP has to be prepared to take over in totality the country's security.

WE MUST COMMEND the police for the strides made so far in curbing crimes in the country especially in Monrovia and its immediate environs which we believe is in line with a saying that 'a thousand miles begin with the first step.'

FOR THIS WE hail the Liberia National Police and hope that its security strategy be put in place in terms of maintenance and decentralization which might be in commensuration with the Vision 2030 plans regarding secured, sustained peace and security in the country.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT in order for the police to reach its 2 percent reduction in crime rates as reported, there were strategies and mechanisms put in place but if the budgetary support also does not affect its sustainability in terms of workforce, we are afraid that all tangible efforts will collapse.

WITH THIS STATISTICS, we are obliged to wonder if the statistics provided by the LNP covers the entire country because it has been observed in time past that assenting reports gathered and released are mostly from urban communities while the rural communities continue to remain deprived of security protection.

IMAGINE SOME IN accessible rural villages that are hard to reach even for projects that could be beneficial to residents and those are the communities wherein police are hardly or never seen least to speak of curtailing crimes and that boils down to logistical problems.

THE POLICE MUST live up to its motto or mandate which is to save life and properties and be reminded that it is not to be enjoyed by only residents in Monrovia or to use statistics in Monrovia to capture the entire country as crime in Monrovia is not crime in Lofa and crime reduced in Montserrado County cannot be equated to crime reduced in Grand Gedeh County.

INDEED! THE POLICE need to be more vigilant; augment your strength and double your advocacy strategy for a more robust and visible budgetary support because security for the nation equals sustained peace for its citizens.