By: Emmanuel Koffa |Grand Kru County Correspondent
Grand Kru County,Barclayville City-March 21,2025-The Commander of the Grand Kru County Police Detachment, Clament Barllat, has expressed serious concerns over an alarming surge in criminal activities within the county, including murder, aggravated assaults, and attempts to commit murder.
In a recent stakeholders meeting held at the Grand Kru Administration Building in Barclayville, Commander Barllat during his report, outlined the increasing threat to public safety and the challenges faced by law enforcement in responding to these incidents.
The Grand Kru County Police Commander put the number of crimes committed to forty-seven (47), from January to March, 2025; with nineteen cases reported and investigated in January 2025; seven cases sent to court, seven cases resolved, and five others pending, while in February 2025, twenty-two cases were reported and investigated, and in March 2025, at least six cases have been reported and also investigated.
According to Commander Barllat, the rise in violent crimes has created an atmosphere of fear among residents. “In just the past few months, we have witnessed a troubling trend in serious offenses,” he stated. “Murders and aggravated assaults have become more frequent, and our attempts to control this tide are severely hampered by a lack of personnel and resources.”
Barllat detailed several high-profile cases that have rocked the County, with some incidents resulting in tragic loss of life, while emphasizing the need for urgent intervention to restore peace and security in Grand Kru County, vis-a-vis protection and effective crime prevention.
One of the key issues highlighted by the police commander is the shortage of police officers. “Our current staffing levels are inadequate to effectively monitor and respond to the growing number of incidents across the county,” he said. “With just a handful of officers on duty at any given time, it is near impossible to provide adequate patrols and resources to high-risk areas.”
In addition to personnel shortages, Commander Barllat lamented the lack of essential logistics. “Without proper vehicles, communication tools, and other vital equipment, our ability to act swiftly in emergencies is severely compromised,” he explained.
He reiterated that the existing challenges place both officers and civilians at greater risk, as police are unable to respond promptly to incidents or conduct thorough investigations.
The Commander’s remarks come amidst a growing call from community leaders and residents for increased support from the government; urging local and national authorities to prioritize funding for the police department to help bolster staffing and acquire necessary resources.
In light of the troubling trends, Commander Barllat has made a direct appeal to central government as well as non government organizations for logistic and manpower support. “We need support to enhance our capacity to combat rising crime rates,” he declared. “Investing in our police force means investing in the safety and security of our communities.”
Despite the challenges, he vowed police in the area commitment, noting that the Grand Kru County Police Detachment is committed to doing everything possible within their limited resources to protect the County in addressing the rising crime; although they recognize that much more will be needed to effectively meet the challenges ahead.
Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief
