Not knowing your neighbour is a security risk

Police has largely attributed the prevailing security in the country to the vital role played by the general public in identifying and addressing security challenges in their localities through the community-based policing. This comes as good news for peace loving citizens but more needs to be done to keep the momentum. At a personal level, everyone must take more measures to complement the efforts of the National Police Force as well as other security organs. For example, do you know your neighbour? Strange as it sounds, most Kigali dwellers do not know their neighbours. Many urban dwellers live in gated houses. For some, at most, they know only the face of their immediate neighbour. Security experts say criminals thrive in areas where they are not known; as such, knowing your neighbor should be the first security measure in your neighbourhood. Not knowing your neighbour is a security risk as wrong elements may stay in the area and hatch their heinous acts unnoticed. It’s important that we know who our neighbours are and probably what they do for a living. Police alone cannot ensure security; it requires concerted efforts of the community, including notifying security organs or other authorities about suspicious elements and acts. Also, landlords should not just look at the money tenants bring to them. They should do some probing. For instance, verify where that person has been residing and the reasons they left, and, if necessary, inform the local leaders as a precaution.

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Not knowing your neighbour is a security risk