Sunday, September 6, 2015

Kajang police foster ties with public

The Star, Saturday August 22, 2015

Fighting crime together: ACP Willey (centre) with his officers meeting the people in Bandar Mahkota Cheras during the community policing programme.
Fighting crime together: ACP Willey (centre) with his officers meeting the people in Bandar Mahkota Cheras during the community policing programme.

THE recent strong police presence in Bandar Mahkota Cheras caused a stir as the public thought a crime had just taken place.

However, their fears were allayed when it turned out to be a community policing initiative by the Kajang police.

Led by new Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Willey Anak Richard, the delegation members were on the streets, meeting business operators and shaking hands with residents before leaflets and name cards were handed out.

The leaflets were on rape prevention, keeping the home safe from break-ins and women’s safety while the name cards contained mobile phone numbers of all senior police officers.

ACP Willey said the walkabout would be a regular feature of the Kajang police in all business areas in the district.

He said the presence of police could help to deter crime, many of which were opportunistic in nature.
“This is also a good way for my officers to introduce themselves to the people and increase public cooperation.

“It is vital to create an awareness that combating crime is a joint responsibility to make our neighbourhoods a safer and better place to live in,” he said.

Also present were district CID chief Deputy Supt Zulkifli Abu Bakar, district public order and traffic chief DSP Azmi Wahid and Sungai Long OCS Sjn Amir Aris.

ACP Willey said based on his hour-long walkabout, the public response was very encouraging and they were receptive to the idea of seeing regular police presence.

He said the next phase would be to deploy bicycle squads to patrol housing estates in the coming months.

“I have set a target to reduce the crime index by at least 10% before the year end.

“Let’s be realistic that there is no way to achieve a zero crime rate,” he said, adding that the people could assist in cutting down opportunistic crimes such as snatch and motorcycle thefts.

ACP Willey said statistics showed more than 70% were property crimes while 30% were related to serious crimes but not syndicates.

He said during the recent Home Safety campaign for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period, only one house in Bangi was broken into.

The campaign had encouraged homeowners to register with the police before returning to their hometowns.

“This shows the campaign is successful and we will continue having it during other major festive celebrations.

“Kajang district is huge with many new and developing housing estates, resulting in opportunistic criminals on the prowl,” he said.

ACP Willey said despite facing constraints in manpower, their personnel would continue to keep crimes in check.

He said they would also work closely with residents associations, Rukun Tetangga, village security and development committees and volunteer patrolling squads in crime prevention efforts.

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