Lawlessness to fight lawlessness in a former failed state

Liberia recently had elections that were supposed to usher in an era of stability. After all, the country has spent most of the last 17 years ravaged by chaos and violence so while the overall situation is improving, it's still fragile. Given that, you'd think authorities in the country would be extra careful.

So imagine my stuperfication when I read that the Liberian police is encouraging people to form vigiliante groups to help fight a crime wave.

Isn't unchecked violence what caused the country's nearly two decade nightmare in the first place?

Bear in mind that after 17 years of rampant violence, the international community spent a huge amount of time and money patiently disarming uncontrolled young men with guns. For the police to actually encourage people to commit extrajudicial killings is irresponsibility bordering on criminal.