Liberia has found a novel incentive to encourage citizens who’ve been robbed to report the crime — the government has announced it will begin distributing free mobile phones to each of the 400 communities around the capital, Monrovia.
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Crime is rampant in Liberia, which only emerged from the throes of a devastating civil war in 2003. Post war life has been hard, with many ex-combatants unable to find jobs, and taking to crime.
So far, the prohibitive costs of making a mobile phone call was seen to be a deterrent in getting people to report such crimes. Or, perhaps people think there’s really no point reporting a crime in a situation so lawless the skeletal police force drags UN peacekeepers along for protection when they venture into dangerous areas?
Cynics have been quick to point out that the free mobile phones would only provide more bait to criminals. One of the favorite lines of local robbers happens to be “Hand over your mobile phone ”¦ or else.”