First community policing team launched at Bayan Baru

Pantai Jerejak State Assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin last night launched the Pantai Jerejak Community Policing Team at the Bayan Baru Market in Penang.

The team, which is the first of its kind at the Bayan Baru area, was approved by Southwest District OCPD Tuan Hatta and Deputy OCPD Tuan Lai, with the Penang Community Policing Association Chairman Koay Eng Loh also helping in its formation.

Sim said that the objective of forming the community policing was to reduce crime rate in the area.

Rapid developments in the Pantai Jerejak-Bayan Baru areas have caused many problems, including an escalating crime rate, where residents are feeling increasingly threatened by snatch thieves, break-ins and other crimes.

Sim said that by forming community policing, volunteer members would be the eyes and ears for the police and would thus help to deter criminals.

The community policing team would patrol the area together with the police force to ensure the safety of that area.

However, he also stressed that the community policing team would not replace professional policemen in their duty to fight crime.

“They are just here to help the police. They have to obey the laws just like anyone. No one is above the law,” he said.

He also commended the spirit of volunteerism among the residents of Bayan Baru who are willing to sacrifice their time in order to improve security of the area.

To show support to the team, he announced that he will allocate RM6,000 to buy 15 sets of walkie-talkies for them.

The Pantai Jerejak Community Policing Team currently has 50 volunteers. Interested residents could contact Chairman Mr. Anthony Kang at 012-561 9193.

Watch the video: Community policing for crime prevention | 3:46 by Jimmy Leow