By Martha Taumata Faavae
Police is drumming out a safety first call for families during the festive holidays with last Friday’s flash flooding serving as a timely warning.
Crowded shopping on wet slippery roads and the attractions of the Festival of Lights illuminating central Apia, are serious enough reasons for everyone to put safety first.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, is wary of reckless behaviour from people who pay little attention to slippery roads when they drive.
His concerns are crowded areas around town where a car can easily lose control in the wet roads.
“Night strollers should also be mindful of their footing on the slick spots as they move around at night to enjoy the town lights,” Deputy Commissioner Auapaau pointed out.
Swimming in flooded rivers is a particular call the police are making with the recent drowning of a 14-year-old boy in Savaii reportedly while with his brother at the Mali’oli’o River.
Cement river crossings and bridges are among the popular spots for many of the young people and the police are trying to discourage swimming in those areas.
Auapaau said police are calling on the support of village leaders to keep everyone safe.
“Parents should keep themselves informed of the weather reports to be more safety minded especially for the children’s’ protection.”
More than 400 police officers are rostered for holiday duties in the two main islands of Upolu and Savaii.
The deputy commissioner is aware the numbers they have is limited and is eager for public support.
“We can be very effective if we all work together, the police needs the public shoulders to make their work easier.
“We’re spread a little tight with our normal policing duties for public safety and our state of emergency orders.”