20 Jun 2011

Samoa council to be formed in face of more crime

4:51 am on 20 June 2011

A council of Samoan church ministers and community leaders is being set up to deal with escalating crime and violence in Vaitele-fou.

An opposition MP, Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi, says Vaitele-Fou is a difficult area because it's a montage of residents from different villages.

He has told the Samoa Observer that more than 90 percent of people banished from their villages are found in Vaitele-Fou where there is no central village council.

Lealailepule's solution is to identify the troubled youths, approach their families and take it from there.

He says has also met church leaders to form a Council to address these concerns.

Lealailepule says even though people there may be living on freehold land, if they cause trouble, the council will have the vested power and authority to make a decision that covers freehold landowners.

The aim, he says, is to have a safer environment and neighbourhood for the youth and children moving forward.