The Suva City Council (SCC) is expected to brief internet cafes, billiard shops and all shops owners within the next few days about the new regulation that has been put in place after a discussion with senior police officers from the Police National Operations Command Centre yesterday.
SCC Public Relations Officer Jillian Hicks said the new regulation will be enforced from next Monday.
Internet cafes and billiard shops are to be closed at 5pm and all shops close at 9pm.
Director Police Operations SSP Waisea Tabakau said asking internet cafes and billiard shops to close at 5pm is an ongoing part of their crack down on suspected illegal activities happening within these premises.
Tabakau said this is the reason why they had asked the Suva City Council to issue a directive for these premises to close at 5pm and other shops and businesses by 9pm.
He said now especially with the Public Emergency Regulation in place, they want to ensure nothing happens that will cause trouble.
He said shops wanting to operate after 9pm need to get a special permit.
Meanwhile, Tabakau also said the Police crusade will remain for as long as the Police are in operation.
He said the crusade is part of their community policing program and the main aim of the crusade was to reach members of the community, which they note is a success.
Tabakau said during the first five months of this year, they have recorded a 26% reduction in crime rate compared to the same period last year and they have attributed the drop to the Crusade.
Feature
SCC to brief shops on new closing time
