PNG Violence

Port Moresby-Papua New Guinea

Crime in Papua New Guinea, both violent and non-violent have contributed to the developing country's crime rate being one of the highest in the world. I spent several days with the PNG Tactical Response Group cruising the backstreets of Port Moresby and then later the marihuana markets in Mount Hagan with journalist Bob Howarth photographing the daily life of residents and police as they cope with this problem.

A sergeant with the Port Moresby Police Tactical Response Group patrols the streets of Matarata
A Port Moresby police officer patrols the streets of Matarata
A Port Moresby police officer questions a betel nut seller in Matarata
The deputy commissioner of Police in Port Moresby holds a homemade shotgun
A typical homemade pistol used by gangs in Port Moresby
A security guard in a private housing compound checks the perimeter in Port Moresby
Firemen race to extinguish a fire in a warehouse in Port Moresby
Firemen race to extinguish a fire in a warehouse in Port Moresby
Firemen race to extinguish a fire in a warehouse in Port Moresby
A police officer patrols the streets of Mt Hagan in the PNG Highlands
Poverty is rife on the streets of Mt Hagan
Two men with their mouths stained from chewing betel nut outside the markets in Mt Hagan
A local store in Matarata in Port Moresby
Mt Hagan markets
Visitors at the Police watch house in Port Moresby