The first points that I want to talk are about the objectives of the Safe City Programs. There are four main goals in creating a safe city. First, is The city to be free from violence such as those that may destroy property and lives for example theft, burglary, etc.; the second objectives, the city that is free from damage due to natural disasters and catastrophes such as floods and landslides; the third objectives are the city that is free from social and moral decline such as drug addiction, theft, white collar crime, corruption, abuse of power, loss of integrity etc.; and the fourth objectives are the city that should be free of accidents in and outside of buildings such as safe from road accidents, destruction of buildings due to fire etc..
The second point that I want to talk today are the ways to implement the safe city. There are 23 prevention steps are included in paperwork "Implementation of Safe City in This Country" which was prepared. The steps then are divided into 3 strategies which are Environmental Design Initiatives, Target Hardening, and Social Activities / Society & Education / Public Awareness. The governments have implemented several ways in the Safe city Programs which are divide into three strategies.
The first strategies are environmental design initiatives. This strategy is implemented by many ways. There are separations of pedestrian walkways from motorised lanes. By this way, the government have provided a few facilities such as provision of dedicated walkways, bollards, landscaping, dedicated motorcycle lanes. The beautiful landscape is part of a safety feature where landscaping with rails should be created, separating the pedestrian walkways from the moving motor vehicles. This could reduce the occurrence of snatch thefts committed, particularly by motorcyclists because snatch thefts can be easily committed if railings and barriers at the side of pedestrian walkways were absent or not well constructed.
In addition, the government also have implement Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Malaysia likewise other countries, crime prevention traditionally and generally is the responsibility of the police, and crime prevention planning has been understated in the traditional planning and urban design because most people did not consider the linkage between the design and management of the physical environment and crime prevention. CPTED advocates that physical environment can be manipulated to produce behavioural effects that will reduce the incidence and fear of crime, thereby improving the quality of life. Furthermore, the government also have established Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping for crime and safe city programme. By using GIS, the local authorities can monitor the effectiveness of safe city programme in crime reduction by cooperated with the Royal Malaysia Police in sharing the GIS data as well as on the reports of criminal cases to help check the criminal activities.
The second strategies that are implemented in safe city programs are target hardening. The government have provided police post/mobile station, safety mirrors, crime prevention signage, safety alarms (panic button), motorcycle parking with locking facilities. Under the Safe City programme, the local authorities helps the police to identify suitable locations for the establishment of police beat bases and both parties also cooperate in deciding the placement of warning signs about criminal activities. The warning or alert signs also exhibit telephone numbers which the public can contact in case of emergencies. Then there are huge mirrors installed at the end of lanes located between buildings. The function of the mirrors is to prevent crimes from being committed at secluded spots along these lanes.
The mirrors are handy in providing 'warnings' to the public on what that is lurking at the end of the lanes, usually the hideout of 'thugs'. The local authorities have also installed alarms at public spots which can be easily triggered by victims of snatch thefts and other street crimes. In addition, the government also have install CCTV in commercial premises and public places and add more lighting. Among areas that should be well lit is the five-foot path of business premises. A well-lit town is always a deterrent against criminals from being rampant in their acts. On the contrary, dimly-lit areas invited criminals and crimes. Hence incidences of car break-in and snatch thefts are high in zones with poor lighting. Even the PBTs encourage private homes to switch on more lights around their perimeter to prevent burglaries. The local authorities also have generate appropriate activities of vulnerable crime spots by encouraging hawkers and petty traders to do their business along several spots that were previously quiet and dark to allow easy surveillance on such locations and security provided for the public.
The third strategies that are implemented in safe city programme are management, community involvement and public awareness. In order to have a safe city, the government have implement it in education, public awareness and publicity, through mass media, installation of billboard, safe city programme websites and public involvement in planning and implementation of safe city programme. In addition, the local authorities also have improve surveillance in the housing areas by organising neighbourhood watch such as the Rukun Tetangga where members of the local community take turns to patrol the residential zones. The local authorities have given their cooperation to make this measure a success and establish data on security guard services. Besides that, the residents should attend the fixed agenda on safe city programme at full council meeting and report the status of the crime index and implementation on Safe City Programme at their neighbourhood and the report should be submit to KPKT and JPBD in order for the local authorities to take action if they are any serious problem that need to take serious action.
In conclusion, a safe city initiative should be a long term and continuous process. Resident should be more proactive in supporting crime prevention initiatives. On the other hand, police should be more committed and consistent to gain confidence of residents by frequently patrol the resident area. This can reduce the crime rate especially in urban areas.
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