The Leone Village Council is not taking lightly the shooting that led to the injury of a police officer who was on duty and has extended their patrol up to Lepuapua, which is the part of Leone where the shooting occurred, says Leone’s Paramount Chief Fa’aivae Iuli Alex Godinet.

Fa’aivae was among the traditional leaders who attended a meeting called by the Lolo and Lemanu Administration (see elsewhere in this issue for article on the meeting).

“This is the second shooting in Leone, and the shooting over the weekend involves two police officers from Leone and this is a serious matter,” Fa’aivae said.

He said that in the past the Leone Village Police usually have not patrolled the area where the recent shooting occurred and indicated that maybe that’s why those people felt that’s where they can shoot at the police.

“However that’s going to change, we will now double up the policing of the village as it appears that Leone is a target,” said the Paramount Chief.

Fa’aivae said since the first shooting of the Leone Police Station, the village police have been making rounds throughout the night into the wee hours for security purposes.

“Leone will not be shaken by the shootings, the village police and the village council will not allow such events to continue to happen and this nonsense should not happen at all.”

He said this has caused grave concerns for the Village Council not only for the safety of the police officers but also for the safety of the people in the area. He said they have extended their assistance since the first shooting of the police station and they will continue that partnership with the Department of Public Safety until they find those responsible.

Fa’aivae told Samoa News that the Village Council has called a meeting and the chief’s assistance has been sought to get information on the person or persons who are responsible for such acts. He said the village police and chiefs will start going out to the village investigating and asking questions as to the source of the shootings and if they are Leone villagers, the village council will not hesitate to penalize them with village standings.

At the same time, he said, the government is doing their part and will prosecute to the full extent of the law.

More on the case of the injured police officer can be found in Monday’s edition.