“Take ownership of Law and Order during this festive season”, were the words of the Provincial Police Commander for New Ireland Province Felix Nebanat. The annual festive season police operations within New Ireland has already begun to ensure individuals and communities celebrate the festive season accordingly, free from trouble and public nuisance. According to Mr. Nebanat, the police operations within the province has two phases to it and is progressing smoothly as planned. The first phase which is the public awareness (pre-ops) conducted by police officers and personnel will end this Friday 23rd December. Police will move directly into phase two which is the patrol and providing security in the province. Phase one saw police officers carrying out awareness in public places including beachfronts and boat stops emphasizing on the consequences of illegal doings, if they are apprehended by police. Police boss Nebanat stated that there will be a briefing this Friday before police conduct the phase two operations. He added that this operation has been carried out for the past festive seasons and for this season police will not tolerate any immorality and criminal activities by individuals as well as general public. [caption id="attachment_32734" align="aligncenter" width="770"] New Ireland Provincial Police Commander Felix Nebanat[/caption] The police in New Ireland is awaiting approval from the New Ireland Provincial Government as well as financial assistance to commence phase two operation this Friday. Currently, there is shortage of police personnel as well as transport for police to use but according to Mr. Nebanat, this will not interfere with the work of the police to enforce law and order during this festive season. The New Ireland PPC made a call to fellow New Irelanders especially drivers and boat skippers to take extra precaution whilst travelling and alcohol consumption is of no tolerance. He made this call regarding a car accident which occurred in Namatanai District last Friday. According to Mr. Felix, a taxi driver had consumed alcohol prior to transporting three passengers to the hospital where they went off road. The driver fled before police arrived at the scene and the passengers survived with minor injuries.