KUCHING: The Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) would like to congratulate the Royal Malaysia Police on the recent launching of a new crime prevention programme called“Ops Harapan”, said a press statement yesterday.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director CommissionerDatuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah said the operation was another layer of protection to safeguard the public from crime.
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department Miri head DSP Rosley Hobden also said that ‘Ops Harapan’ was initiated by the new Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which is aimed at bringing down crime index at crime-prone areas.
SCPA would like to stress on the importance of citizens working together with the police in fighting crime as the community will suffer the most if the crime rate increases. SCPA also stresses on the importance of increasing cooperation between the police and citizens by creating partnerships and strategies for reducing crime which is a method of crime prevention.
Since the launching of SCPA in 1 March, 2015, SCPA has formed 56 neighbourhood crime watch groups in housing estates in Kuching. These groups consist of dedicated citizens who are always on the lookout for suspicious activities in their respective housing estates. As soon as they have identified any suspicious activities, they will immediately report to the police who will then respond promptly to the report.
SCPA members act as the eyes and ears of the police which has been proven to be an effective method of reducing and preventing crime. SCPA members also work together with the police by organising patrol groups in their respective neighbourhood. The patrol is made up of SCPA members and volunteers from the community who will then alert the police of any suspicious criminal activities. SCPA recommends that every housing estate should have at least one neighbourhood crime watchgroup as the local residents have greater observation of their respective neighbourhoods.
A recent survey by the SCPA showed that citizens’ perception on fear of crime in Kuching urban area is 21%. The fear of crime cannot be ignored and it will affect the lifestyle of the community by living in fear of crime.
SCPA also stresses on the importance of maintaining a clean and orderly neighbourhood as a cleaner neighbourhood will lead to a safer neighbourhood. There is an idea that having clean and well-lit maintained public spaces can discourage criminals. A disorderly neighbourhood gives the impression that the place is neglected. This type of disorder may suggest that crimes will not be reported and there may be no police or local authority presence in that particular neighbourhood. Citizens can play their part by keeping their houses in good repair, keeping the drains clean and maintaining good relationship with neighbours while the local government should also keep the street lights brightly lit and maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings.
SCPA welcomes and supports “Ops Harapan” and we would like to invite citizens to help the police in reducing crime. To be part of the SCPA in its efforts to combat crime, kindly contact 010 3268333 for further information, concluded the statement from Datuk Lau Pang Heng, SCPA Chairman on behalf of the association.
