The Apia Mayor has appealed to the Police top brass to increase the number of foot patrols in the town area to combat gangs and public violence.

In an interview with Samoa Observer, Apia Mayor, Tuiletufuga Fritz Tuiavii said they have already approached the Police for an official meeting to discuss what is needed for the safety of Apia residents mainly on Beach Road from troublemakers.

 “At this time, I have not received any word from the Police after several attempts for their assistance with curfew regulations and on several issues that violate the law as well as preventative measures that the village needs to take into account when we resume our curfews,” he said.

“The police are not doing enough to manage this issue because minors are still seen during school and after hours”.

According to Tuiletufuga, the village decided to halt their curfews during the International Va'a Federation (IVF) paddling competition six months ago as the Aumaga (untitled men) were kept busy volunteering at the event.

“Resuming the village curfews relies on the Commissioner's cooperation because we need to meet up and discuss to come to an agreement," he said. 

Last month, two street vendors in their 20s were identified by the police as the alleged perpetrators in a brutal beating incident in Sogi and have now been charged with assault.

In a previous interview with this newspaper, Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed that the two men in their 20s are street vendors from Leone and their investigations are continuing.

"For the incident in Sogi where the taxi driver and a man were beaten, two have been charged by police, they're men in their twenties from Leone," he said. "They were amongst those street vendors who are always selling stuff in Sogi so they've been identified and charged."

Meanwhile, an attempt to get a comment from the Police Commissioner was unsuccessful.