THE police are cracking down on persons carrying knives, machetes and other sharp implements, which they say have been used to commit about 20 murders this year.

The Police High Command said that as part of measures to lessen the number of killing and injuries with these weapons a zero-tolerance approach will be adapted as it pertains to offences under the Offensive Weapons (Prohibition) Act.

“Citizens are, therefore, being reminded that it is illegal to have in one’s possession, in any public place, items such as daggers, knives, machetes, ratchet knives or any item adapted to cause injury,” the High Command said.

“… Many times these items become objects of death, as when disputes escalate, they are used as weapons. Persons are, therefore, being advised to desist from carrying any object that may be classified as an offensive weapon,” said the police.

The police, in the meantime, has appealed to persons to try and quash their disputes amicably before they escalate into physical confrontations and possibly death.

They recommended that persons:

* Listen as its strengthens us, informs us, and makes it easier for us to respond appropriately to others to hear us when it’s our turn to speak.

* Make conflict resolution the priority rather than winning or “being right” as maintaining and strengthening the relationship, rather than “winning” the argument, should always be your first priority. Be respectful of the other person and his or her viewpoint.

* Focus on the present. If you’re holding on to grudges based on past resentments, your ability to see the reality of the current situation will be impaired. Rather than looking to the past and assigning blame, focus on what you can do in the here-and-now to solve the problem.

* Be willing to forgive. Resolving conflict is impossible if you are unwilling or unable to forgive. Resolution lies in releasing the urge to punish, which can never compensate for our losses and only adds to our injury by further depleting resources and draining our lives.

* Know when to let something go. If you can’t come to an agreement, agree to disagree. It takes two people to keep an argument going. If a conflict is going nowhere, you can choose to disengage and move on.