MOROGORO Regional Police Commander ACP Andrew Kantimbo has opened a new channel of engagement with residents, saying the changing nature of crime requires police and communities to work together rather than operate in isolation.
Mr Kantimbo made the remarks after launching the (Talk to the Commander) campaign at Msamvu Main Bus Terminal, where residents were given an opportunity to raise security concerns directly with police officers and propose ways of improving public safety.
He said criminals were increasingly moving away from conventional forms of crime and turning to technology, mobile phones and sophisticated tactics to defraud or target members of the public.
“Crime is changing. Criminals are increasingly using technology and intelligence to target people, and this means the community has an important role to play in helping us prevent and solve crime,” Mr Kantimbo said.
He said information held by residents could enable police to prevent crimes before they occur or identify suspects after an incident.
The commander said the campaign was intended to bridge the gap between police and the public by creating a platform where residents could report security concerns, seek clarification and provide information that could support investigations.
He said the deployment of police inspectors at ward level was part of efforts to bring policing services closer to communities.
Mr Kantimbo also called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for guiding children and young people, saying weakening social and moral values could contribute to criminal behaviour.
He urged people illegally possessing firearms to surrender them to the police, while those who no longer needed firearms in their possession should also approach police for guidance on how to surrender them safely.
At Msamvu, residents used the platform to raise concerns over security both inside and around the busy transport hub.
They cited theft of passengers’ luggage, fraud, alleged possession of firearms and drugs and criminal activities occurring at night as some of the challenges facing the area.
They called for closer cooperation between police, terminal authorities, traders, motorcycle taxi operators and other groups working at the bus stand.
Musa Erasto, a trader at Msamvu, said people working at the terminal were in a strong position to identify suspicious behaviour because they interacted with passengers and other visitors on a daily basis.
He said the community was ready to support police efforts provided there was meaningful cooperation.
“People here see what happens every day. We can identify suspicious behaviour and provide information, but we need to see that cooperation working in practice,” Mr Erasto said.
He said the engagement had helped rebuild confidence among residents and demonstrated that people were willing to work with police when given a direct channel for raising concerns.
Representatives of motorcycle taxi operators and other groups at the terminal also raised concerns about how arrests are conducted, calling for suspects to be treated with dignity while ensuring public safety.
They also called for stronger action against corruption and measures to help motorcycle taxi operators comply with legal requirements without creating situations that encourage them to avoid police.
Residents further urged authorities to make greater use of surveillance cameras installed at Msamvu, saying the footage could help monitor activities, identify suspects and establish what happened when crimes occur.
The campaign also focused on emerging forms of crime involving mobile phones and social media.
Police Inspector Blastus Lihawa warned residents against callers who claim to be employees of mobile phone companies or other institutions, urging people to verify their identities before sharing any information.
He cautioned the public against disclosing confidential account details, following instructions from unknown callers or opening suspicious links sent through phones and social media platforms.
Mr Lihawa also warned against allowing other people to register mobile phone lines using an individual's personal details.
He said such practices could expose people to financial losses, theft of personal information or criminal investigations if their details were later linked to illegal activities.
Meanwhile, Martha Abel, head of the Forensic Science Department in the Morogoro Police Region, said modern crime investigations increasingly depended on scientific evidence rather than arrests alone.
She said forensic experts collect and analyse evidence such as fingerprints, traces from crime scenes, firearms, ammunition and documents to establish facts and link suspects to offences.
Ms Abel urged members of the public not to touch or move objects at a crime scene before forensic officers arrive, warning that interference could destroy evidence needed for investigations.
The Talk to the Commander campaign is expected to continue in other parts of Morogoro Region as police seek to strengthen community-based crime prevention, improve public trust and create direct channels through which residents can raise security concerns.