Operation Clean Lumley exposes traders’ lawlessness
Operation ‘Clean Lumley’ was mounted on Monday June 9th 2014 by Police Officers from the Lumley Police Division with the aim of putting an end to street trading so that the Freetown-Lumley Road will again be a conducive and clean environment.
The process was also meant to beautify the surroundings through removing traders who unlawfully choose to sell their dealings along the street and refuse to put their business for sale in the Lumley Market community.
The operation in question was spearheaded energetically by the no-nonsense Operations Officer Lumley Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Patrick John Kamara aka ‘Bigger’ with numerous junior Police Officers attached at the mentioned division.
Speaking to the Local Unit Commander of Lumley Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police, Alhaji Kabba Kamara, told SEM that they embarked on Operation Clean Lumley not only to keep the vicinity clean but to get rid of criminals who he described as taking refuge behind the street traders; adding that even Police Officers cannot easily identify who is a thief among the traders. According to him, he said most of the traders are aiding and abetting thieves, an action which he said will help to hinder the normal progress of any society.
The LUC pointed out that the traders do not only cause traffic congestion but they also disturbed the normal movement of pedestrians. He cited that a couple of weeks ago a tipper killed somebody as a result of street trading. He therefore declared zero tolerance on lawlessness and street trading in his area of operation.
Mr. Kabbah emphasized that the operation is an ongoing process and will remain uncompromised until the Police achieve their desire which is to keep the area tidy and lawless free.
According to LUC Kabba, they have been warning traders to avoid selling in prohibited areas and on several occasions have also engaged community stakeholders like Councilors, their Parliamentarians and many others to talk to their subjects but they never listened to them until the intensification of the operation. He therefore warned all to adhere to the dictates of the law in order to avoid police embarrassment.
Mr. Kabbah highlighted that the Police has now decided to arrest and charge to court anyone caught selling in the streets and even idlers who have no business around the market area.
Interviewing one of the shop owners who preferred anonymity said, the operation is very meaningful and timely which requires no questioning as it will help to clean the area and reduce crime in the community.
By Abdulai Mento Kamara and Abdulai Bangura
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