As reported in The Star Online, the Petaling Jaya Safe City programme disbursed a total of RM678,000 – an increase of 50% from 2015 – to 113 neighbourhoods that qualified this year. The programme is an effort by the MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) to empower residents to tackle issues related to neighbourhood safety.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said that the yearly allocation has seen an increase of recipients compared to previous years, because of awareness on the funds' existence and residents' concerns on safety in their neighbourhood.
He went on to encourage more residents to embark on community patrolling instead of engaging private security companies. Mohd Azizi said the money could be used to buy community patrolling tools such as fluorescent vests, batons and whistles. The money can also be used for crime prevention activities such as crime prevention talks with the police.
Three neighbourhoods that have benefited from the allocation and actively pursue community patrolling spoke to StarMetro regarding their endeavours.
1) Gasing Indah
The police and the Gasing Indah Residents Association have cultivated a good relationship as they cycle together to patrol the neighbourhoood.
This neighbourhood has fostered a good relationship with the police. Besides patrolling on foot, they also cycle regularly with the police in their housing estate, with the idea to ward off thieves and robbers. The Pantai police station chief ASP Ezral Ezwani Ab Malik advised the public not to rely solely on gated-and-guarded schemes.
The community patrolling team, dressed in their cycling attire, have even nabbed thieves during their patrolling sessions. The residents also invite the police for their neighbourhood sports activities such as badminton, futsal and basketball. This fosters better relations with each other.
2) Petaling Jaya Old Town
A group of 20 residents of Petaling Jaya Old Town patrol Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 four times a week.
In Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Petaling Jaya, a group of 20 residents, mostly senior citizens, can be seen diligently patrolling on foot four times a week. They are part of the Petaling Jaya Old Town RA patrolling team formed in 2004. It is the love for their neighbourhood and the motivation to stay fit that are their biggest drives.
The team members wear uniforms that consist of reflective vests, dark blue cargo pants, dark blue collared shirts and caps. They also carry batons, torchlights and walkie-talkies. A spokesperson from the community patrolling team said the oldest member of the team was 69 and the youngest was in the mid-20s.
The group's success stories include identifying a stolen car parked in the neighbourhood in April. Their presence has helped keep the crime rate low, while they also help escort nurses, after work, safely to their homes. The group's voluntary deeds has created stronger bonds with residents as they are invited to open houses during festive seasons.
3) SS2B
The SS2B Scheme Ronda Sukerela residents spend time at night patrolling the residential area on foot despite their family or career commitments. — Photos: ART CHEN, IZZRAFIQ ALIAS AND M. AZHAR ARIF/The Star
The SS2B Scheme Ronda Sukarela has made residents feel safe to stroll out of their houses at night. The group's security chief Lee Kwee Cheng said that the neighbourhood patrolling team also comprised working professionals, where the common goal to make their neighbourhood safe has united residents.
For a short period of time, the neighbourhood felt like a ghost town after a bad incident in the past where a resident was robbed of valuables by parang-wielding men. However, things changed for the better when the patrolling started, and even the crime victim joined in the efforts.
Lee added that the residents were also active in organising community events such as free health checks and these events kept the camaraderie going among neighbours. The team also hopes to encourage female residents for daytime patrolling activities.
Click here in order to read the full article as published in The Star Online.
