The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has recorded 83 human deaths from 2016 – 2017 for the entire country.
RSIPF Assistant Commissioner (AC), Ian Vaevaso says, “The figure for deaths categorised as suspicious homicide and culpable driving causing death for year 2016 is 14 cases and for year 2017 is 18.”
AC Vaevaso adds: “Apart from suspicious death incidences, some reported deaths were recorded as premature deaths which includes the deceased collapsing, industrial accidents, attacked by reptile and drowning. There were 51 deaths recorded as premature or sudden death for the period of 2016 - 2017.”
AC Vaevaso explains, “These figures are the ones recorded so far in the Justice Information System (JIMS) meaning the figures may increase after all the cases have been posted on JIMS.”
“Death through old age is something that is unpreventable yet some deaths could be prevented like drowning, attacks by crocodiles, vehicle accidents and deaths through violence,” says AC Vaevaso.
The preventable deaths could be minimised through:
• Educating the community about crime prevention awareness;
• Resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue;
• Promoting, don’t drink and drive for both vehicles and boats;
• Ensuring vehicles and vessels are road and sea worthy before travelling;
• Making sure vehicles and vessels carry the authorised number of passengers and goods/items
• Making sure safety equipment like seat beats and life jackets are in the vehicles and vessels are functioning and used when necessary;
• Promoting a safe working environment
• Promoting sea safety and bad weather warnings messages like continues rain may cause flash flooding and rough seas;
• Promote safe home-community from the danger of crocodiles, sharks and other wild animals:
• Educating children through basic swimming training with close supervision by parents or guidance and educate all people about household safety and water safety, and
• Closely supervise small children and old people when crossing the road and swimming in the river, in a pool and at the beach.
This mortality rate does not capture other deaths not reported to police like natural deaths due to old age. Only medical authorities can verify the numbers for the natural deaths.