Liberia: Grand Bassa County Turns Over Five Motorbikes to Community Watch Forum

Grand Bassa County— Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson has turned over five motorbikes to the Grand Bassa County Community Watch Forum to strengthen community-based security operations and support collaboration with the Liberia National Police (LNP).

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By Francis G. Boayue

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The motorbikes are intended to enhance the forum’s mobility and enable its members to work more closely with the police and other security institutions in responding to criminal activities across the county.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Superintendent Johnson thanked the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus, County Council and citizens of the county for supporting the establishment and operations of the Community Watch Forum.

Johnson also commended the leadership of the forum for its role in helping security authorities address the growing problem of illicit drugs in the county.

He said the forum had previously worked with the police, Drug Enforcement Agency and other security institutions to conduct operations, particularly around schools and communities where drug-related activities were reported.

“Today, the drugs in our county are not gone, but they have reduced,” Johnson said, crediting the forum for its contribution to efforts aimed at combating illicit drug activities.

According to the superintendent, the decision to provide motorbikes instead of direct cash support was intended to ensure that county resources provided for security operations result in tangible assets that can be used to improve service delivery.

Johnson said the county government would require organizations seeking operational funding to submit proposals and provide documentation showing how the funds would be used.

He described the provision of the motorbikes as a practical approach to supporting community security initiatives while ensuring that public resources are invested in visible and useful assets.

“The Community Watch Forum plays a very major role in the county in terms of assisting the police,” Johnson stated, adding that the motorbikes would enable the group to work more closely with law enforcement to pursue criminal activities.

The superintendent also highlighted several interventions undertaken by the county administration to support the justice and security sectors.

He cited the transportation of sick prisoners, construction of a court facility in Edina, provision of materials to the police, and renovations at the Magisterial Court and County Attorney’s Office.

He said the county government had also supported improvements at the police station and other justice-sector facilities.

He maintained that the county’s investments in the justice and security sectors were part of broader efforts to maintain peace and create an environment conducive to investment.

“We have been supporting the justice system in this county,” Johnson said, adding that the county’s security situation had improved.

He commended the Liberia National Police for its coordination of security operations in Grand Bassa County and thanked officers for their work in maintaining public safety.

At the ceremony, Superintendent Johnson formally handed over the key to the police commander, who was expected to subsequently present it to the leadership of the Community Watch Forum.

The initiative is expected to strengthen community policing and improve the forum’s ability to support law enforcement efforts across Grand Bassa County.