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The Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua, officially launched the Pilling Road Crime Prevention Committee on Saturday.

Members of the Pilling Road community turned out in numbers to witness the event which was started with a march from Laqere Bridge to the launching site.

The community at Pilling Road held a traditional yaqona ceremony for the Police Commissioner who acknowledged the community for it's to build a safe and secure neighborhood for themselves.

The Commissioner thanked the Crime Committee and the community of Pilling Road for initiating the launch which will enable community members to work closely with police in the fight against crime. He added this was "a move in the right direction". He reminded the community that the fight against crime started from their respective homes and families.

The Commissioner added the need for the newly formed committee to adopt strategies in which to accept those members of the community who have committed crimes in the past back into the community.

The commissioner said the Community's multicultural identity is its strength.

"You should know that your unity despite difference in culture, religion and race is your strength, keeping working together and uniting in the fight against crime," the Commissioner said.

"The Fiji Police Force needs you to take the first step to ensure that you have a safe and crime free community and we will come in to reinforce your efforts and commitments in fighting crime," he added.

The Commissioner called on community members not to neglect the person behind the crime.

"Knowing our common humanity is the beginning of our task", he said. "Words cannot meet the needs of our people.

These needs will be met only if we act boldly, and if only we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us", he added.

"A total acceptance, tolerance and patience in understanding our differences are essential," the police commissioner said.