IN a bid to highlight crime prevention initiatives and raise awareness on police-community partnerships, the 2012 Divisional Crime Prevention Community Carnival was officially launched in Lautoka on Wednesday.
With eight confirmed contestants and stakeholders, event organisers are expecting a good turnout at the week-long fete when it kicks off on September 22.
West Community Policing Commander Faiaaz Ali said the carnival was initiated to create awareness on crime prevention initiatives that were being carried out in the country, especially in the Western Division.
"We want to promote the works done by those in community policing and also by the Fiji Police Force," Mr Ali said.
He said the theme of the carnival 'Together, We Will Make a Difference' was an ideal message for the public.
"We want to create safe neighbourhoods, safe communities, safe villages and we can only achieve this if we work together," Mr Ali said.
"We also want to make our communities safe for businesses and for our visitors. By having all of this, international visitors and investors will be confident in coming to our country," he said.
Of the carnival, Mr Ali said booths would be set up for the various departments of the Fiji Police Force where the public could access information about each section.
"We want to promote the police force and also get the public to come in and ask them about what they do."
Mr Ali said this was the first time a carnival focused purely on crime prevention and community policing had been organised.
"This is the first time and we hope to get as much support as we can for this good cause. People can be rest assured that they will have a good time during the festivities. While we are providing awareness, we will also be providing entertainment for the crowd," he said.