'Beware of criminals in face masks'

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, DSP Afia Tenge, has advised the general public to be security-conscious and extra vigilant as some criminals may take advantage of the mandatory wearing of face masks to perpetrate crimes.

She said although facial recognition was important in identifying criminals, it had become difficult to recognise faces as everyone was expected to wear a face covering in public.

She advised that when crimes occurred, people should also take note of other key features such as physique, type and colour of clothes, type of vehicle used, number of persons who committed a crime, among others.

DSP Tenge explained that in the past, aside from facial recognition, the police used other traces to identify criminals, hence it was important for the general public to be extra vigilant in these times.

“We know criminals will take advantage of the current situation, and so people may not be able to identify someone who attacks them. Even before the compulsory wearing of face masks, some criminals operated in different face masks which completely covered their faces. The police had been able to identify some of them because of the traces they left behind.

“Crimes in communities are sometimes committed by people living within that same community, so if one is a bit vigilant you may be able to pick up clues like voices, stature or how they walk, which the criminal would not be able to change immediately. These are clues that have helped the police in tracing some criminals,” she said.

She explained that before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Ghana Police Service had advised the general public to beware of people who entered bank premises, markets, shops and business areas wearing face coverings.

That directive was in response to a trend of robbery cases where the robbers, in order to avoid being captured on the closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), adopted a method of hiding their identities through wearing hoods and helmet.

“Times have changed, today in the face of this pandemic, we must look beyond the face and pick other clues to help the police identify criminals,” she advised.

Installation of technological device
For business owners and managers of public places, DSP Tenge advised that in addition to security personnel, it was important to install devices such as CCTVs, anti-theft devices and surveillance systems that would assist the police in case a crime was committed.

On private security personnel who were employed at such places, she said it was important to ensure that their details were vetted by the Criminal Investigative Department of the police before they were employed.

She stated that the government, as part of its policy to ensure the security and safety of citizens, was through the National Security Ministry embarking on the installation of CCTV cameras nationwide.

In all, about 7,000 cameras are expected to be installed to monitor the activities of criminals and various traffic offences.

Security in public places
DSP Tenge noted that these days, most people were distracted by their phones and did not pay attention to happenings in their surroundings.

In such instances, she said, it was difficult to give any traces or clues if a crime occurred.

“Avoid exposing your money carelessly in your front pockets and keep your purses and wallets closed.

“Anytime you enter a public facility, try and take interest in security awareness around you to reduce your security vulnerability.

“Keep valuables away from view, lock car doors properly, beware of persons loitering at car parks and only transact business with accredited shops,” she cautioned.

Police committed to combatting crime
DSP Tenge assured the public that the police was committed to ensuring their safety at public places and within their communities.

She said the community policing wing also assisted the Police Service in responding rapidly to crimes, gathering intelligence, enforcing the law and ensuring that residents were safe.

“Once there is an attack, call the police emergency number — 18555 or 191— immediately, be sincere and answer all questions without delay. People delay in calling the police when crimes occur and this affects police response time to the crime scene,” she stated.

Mandatory wearing of face masks
It will be recalled that last month, as part of measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo issued an Executive Instrument (EI) that mandated the general public to wear face masks in public places.

“Leaving our homes without a face mask or face covering is an offence,” the President said in his 11th address to the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EI states that a person caught not wearing a face mask is to be punished by the law under the EI.
Offenders are to pay either a minimum fine between GH¢12,000 and GH¢50,000 or be imprisoned for a four-year minimum or up to 10 years.

Following this directive, several people have been arrested by the Ghana Police Service for refusing to wear face masks.

For instance, on June 25, graphic.com.gh reported that about 40 people were arrested within the Central Business District for not wearing face masks as prescribed by the law.