The Police have asked the chiefs of Falelatai village not to block the public's access to the road after villagers turned some vehicles away and allowed others through but with strict conditions. 

The Samoa Observer reported on Thursday that some vehicles were denied access through the village, while most members of the public who are not from Falelatai, are allowed but only under strict instruction that they don't stop within the village.

The roadblocks were set up as the village of Falelatai took the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, under protective custody, following recent developments relating to the current political crisis in Samoa, in which His Highness is a central figure.

The 24-hour security detail by the villagers screening vehicles and blocking the free passage by the public on the road was raised with Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai Keti.

"I believe one of our Deputies talked to them because the road is a Government road so we already sent some advice to the chiefs and orators (Pule mamalu Alii ma Faipule) of the village not to block the road, because the public is using the road. It’s okay if it is the Head of State's safety but not to block the Government Road,” said Papalii.

Meanwhile a programme that will see the setting up of roadblocks by the Police is underway to crackdown assorted traffic infringements including driving under the influence. 

In an announcement on the Samoa Police, Prisons and Correction Services Facebook page, the roadblocks will allow the "enforcement of various traffic infringements". 

The roadblocks will be located around the central business district area in in Apia and will progress to the outskirts of Samoa in the coming months.

The focus of their roadblocks will be unlicensed vehicles, unlicensed drivers, unsafe vehicles, drivers driving under the influence of alcohol, additional lights and the use of public service vehicles. 

Deputy Commissioner Papalii she said there has been a lot of positive feedback from the public about the work being done, and especially in relation to the additional lights on vehicles. 

"The public has many requests to the Ministry to take a good look at additional lights and colorful lights that are not safe for them (installed on vehicles)," she said.

“We are anticipating to go right up until a huge impact has been made and a big change is seen. There is no time frame for these roadblocks. 

"We begin here in Apia with the aim to cover the whole of Samoa. This is a part of our work, to enforce the traffic laws by combining Vaitele and the traffic enforcement on the road.”

Papalii said the Ministry emphasis is to ensure safety on the road and they have warned that vehicles may be impounded if they are deemed unsafe and a traffic offence notice will be issued. 

She also encourages the public and those who have no drivers licenses and vehicle licenses to go and register, because that money helps to repair and maintain the roads.