00:00In a statement, the Portisbane Business Group said,
00:03while official data may show some improvements in law and order,
00:06serious criminal activity remains a daily reality.
00:09The association cited repeated burglaries and smashed storefronts in the capital,
00:14along with frequent gunfire along the east-west corridor
00:16and ongoing fatal shootings in urban communities.
00:20It described the steady loss of life as unacceptable
00:23and warned that public confidence is eroding.
00:26The group urged that long-term solutions must include stronger detection,
00:30arrest and prosecution of offenders,
00:33as well as social intervention for at-risk youth.
00:36However, it said immediate steps are also needed to reduce killings in the short term.
00:41The merchant suggested that the proposed Zozo legislation
00:44could have served as a temporary measure to stabilize crime hotspots,
00:49but questioned why the bill was rejected by independent senators
00:52and why amendments were not pursued.
00:54They are now calling on both government and independent bench senators
00:58to clearly explain their positions to the public
01:01and outline whether compromise is possible.
01:04The association maintains that while concerns about potential abuse
01:07or stigmatization under Zozo must be addressed,
01:11the ongoing murder rate demands urgent and unified national action.
01:15Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
01:17Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
01:18Aksha Galston, TV6 News.
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