THERE has been zero crime at the Prai Free Industrial Zone in Penang during major festive holidays since 2011, thanks to the community policing programme introduced there that year.
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) secretary Johnny Michael Tan said frequent factory break-in cases were previously reported during major festivals when the factories closed for an extended period.
“Following the burglaries, a number of companies in the Prai Free Industrial Zone mooted the idea for community policing in their area which was endorsed by the MCPF, police, Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP), Customs Department and several security companies.”
He said this on Wednesday at the launching of the community policing programme for the current long shutdown for Hari Raya by MCPF’s Penang Chapter executive council member Datuk K.R. Pulayantran.
The programme will end on Monday when the first shift workers are back to work.
Tan said an initial grouping of seven companies started the programme in 2011, with the number growing to 29 in 2014 and close to 40 companies now.
He said those involved in the community policing would monitor inbound and outbound movements of people and vehicles in the zone throughout the long holidays.
Also present at the launching which was held at the entrance of the zone were MCPF’s Penang Chapter executive council members Chin Eng Leong and James Mohan, and Delta Force Security Services and Consultancy Sdn Bhd director Aru Sinnasamy, who represented the security companies.
Pulayantran told reporters that such community policing efforts must be ongoing following good response from the factories.
“They give more confidence to factory owners and investors ,” he said.
MPSP secretary Rozali Mohamud said the council fully supported and encouraged such programmes.
“This is in line with the state government’s vision to keep Seberang Prai safer and cleaner.
“It will also earn the confidence of investors as their assets are being protected during the long holidays when their factories are closed,” he added.
