Not at the public’s inconvenience

We are aware that there is a serious narcotics menace and the police are doing their best to deal with it. The area that I live in the city of Colombo (namely Colombo 08) has unfortunately become a  meeting area for drug traffickers and addicts, and frequent checks are on in this sector at night and sometimes even during the day. 

This is done by mobile squads which arrive suddenly. While we as the public laud these efforts and should fully co-operate with the police, they on the other hand must remember that they should be courteous and not be a inconvenience to the general public, the majority of whom not connected to the narcotics trade in any way.

One particular squad arriving on motorbikes,  and always park  in front of my front gate. There is a pavement, but I must walk around them to reach the gate when I come home (usually around eight pm), and even offer explanations that I am simply returning home after work. 

I need to take out my dog as soon as I come in. It’s  a very friendly dog and will not attack anyone. The last time, it barked at another dog running down the lane, and I was told quite roughly to take it back inside.

It’s quite a lengthy and broad lane, and there are several unoccupied houses along it. The police can do their checks elsewhere without inconveniencing people by parking and checking in front of their gates.

One morning, I was simply walking down the lane with a shopping bag in hand when a young man in civvies suddenly snatched the bag from me. It turned out he was a policeman checking for illicit drugs. They must learn to do it without being rude to the general public.

A concerned citizen