The 330 arrests mainly for drunk and disorderly conduct in central Nuku’alofa over the last three weeks is a community problem which “should concern all of you,” Tonga’s Commissioner of Police stated today, after 50 people were arrested over the weekend.

The 50 were charged with drinking in public places, drunk driving and disorderly conduct in the third weekend of 'Operation Safe Streets' conducted by Tonga Police in Tongatapu from August 19-21,

The previous week 78 people were arrested and charged during the Operation, which is tackling alcohol-fuelled crimes.

Forum

Tonga Police last week hosted a Intoxication Liquor Act Forum with the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation to address the issue of alcohol harm in Tonga. 

The Forum on 18 August was attended by members of the Liquor License Authority and Liquor License holders at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell told the Forum that he directed the launch of Operation Safe Streets on 29 July, as a proactive initiative to prevent crime and protect the public.

Unacceptable

"It was in response to the unacceptable level of violent attacks in public places, deaths on the road, which had shown a dramatic spike in June and July with 13 road deaths."

He said the central ingredient of this offending was the over-consumption of alcohol in bars, public places and private homes in Tongatapu.

As a result of the operation over the previous three-weeks, there have been 330 arrests made, mainly for drunk and disorderly behaviour and mostly centered on the streets of Nuku’alofa.

“The number of arrests must be concern all of you, it's a certainly a certain to me."

He said the police on his personal direction would continue to take a tough enforcement stance on drunkenness, criminal behaviour and drinking and driving.

Solutions

The Commissioner said the forum briefed participants on the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, the role of the Liquor Licensing Authority, responsibilities of Liquor License holders while finding a collective strategy to reduce the incident of alcohol related harm in our community.

"The police will not only the target the offenders but also the licenses that choose to serve drunks and underage drinkers."

"I see the Police role also to educate the public and our young people on the over consumption of alcohol. A policewoman is in Wellington looking at youth strategies and programs that can work here. This forum aimed to increase our understanding of the problems and work out achievable solutions together. Doing nothing is not an option, he said.

“This is not a police problem, it is a community problem. It is not a blame game, it is about solutions,” he said.