The police and the Gasing Indah Residents Association have cultivated a good relationship as they cycle together to patrol the neighbourhoood.
The Petaling Jaya Safe City programme disbursed RM678,000 to 113 neighbourhoods this year – an increase of 50% from 2015.
Under the programme, which is an effort by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to empower residents to tackle issues related to neighbourhood safety, RM6,000 is given to those that qualify.
The neighbourhood must be represented by the Residents Association (RA) or Rukun Tetangga (RT)
The yearly allocation has seen an increase of recipients compared to previous years. There were 65 recipients in 2011, 72 neighbourhoods (2012), 85 neighbourhoods (2013), 65 neighbourhoods (2014) and 58 neighbourhoods in 2015.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said there were more applicants this year because of awareness on the funds’ existence and residents’ concerns on safety in their neighbourhood.
Mohd Azizi encouraged more residents to embark on community patrolling instead of engaging private security companies.
“We have closed the application for funds for this year but those who are interested to apply for funds under next year’s budget, can come now and register,” he said.
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.
The same neighbourhoods are allowed to reapply for the scheme each year.
StarMetro spoke to three neighbourhoods that have benefited from the allocation and actively pursue community patrolling.
Gasing Indah
The Gasing Indah neighbourhood has fostered a good relationship with the police.
Besides patrolling on foot, they also cycle regularly with the police in their housing estate.
The Pantai police station chief ASP Ezral Ezwani Ab Malik said crime prevention was the idea behind community patrolling and the existence of a community patrolling team wards off thieves and robbers.
“Residents must know their neighbours and community patrolling is a good neighbourhood activity.
“Gasing Indah is an exemplary neighbourhood because of their team spirit.
“They always execute good initiatives to safeguard their community.
“We sometimes cycle together during patrolling sessions.
“Besides preventing crime, we get to stay fit,” said ASP Ezral, referring to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s recent comments for the police to take up sports to optimise physical fitness and a healthy mind.
ASP Ezral advised the public not to rely solely on gated-and-guarded schemes.
The group, dressed in their cycling attire, have nabbed thieves during their patrolling session.
Gasing Indah RT chairman Eric Chew said in one incident, the patrolling team heard a loud scream and called the police while they cordoned off the affected house.
“The thief pretended to be drunk when he saw us but became ‘sober’ when the police hosed water on him,” said Chew.
“In a second incident, a thief stole valuables after breaking into a house but he was nabbed by the patrolling team during his escape.”
The residents also invite the police for their neighbourhood sports activities such as badminton, futsal and basketball. This fosters better relations with each other.
The neighbourhood, said Chew, utilised the Safe City funds for patrolling and other crime prevention activities.
Petaling Jaya Old Town
A group of 20 residents, mostly senior citizens, can be seen diligently patrolling Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Petaling Jaya on foot four times a week.
They are part of the Petaling Jaya Old Town RA patrolling team formed in 2004.
Their love for the neighbourhood and the motivation to stay fit 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.
Former Petaling Jaya councillor Tony Cheong, who is their advisor, said the group had benefited from the MBPJ’s allocation.
“This neighbourhood uses the MBPJ allocation to buy equipment needed for patrolling,” said Cheong.
He hoped the group would be provided with a cabin or a space by MBPJ to be turned into their base where they could hold meetings and store their equipment.
A spokesman 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.
“Interestingly, the number plate fell off after two months.
“However, it was reattached again during another visit. We found that suspicious.
“We also saw signs of forced entry at the keyhole,” he said.
The group contacted the police and it was later confirmed that it was a stolen car.
During the patrolling session, the group members flash their torch from a distance at anyone who looks suspicious, especially in back alleys.
“Usually, these suspicious characters will move away fast and not return to our neighbourhood,” he said, adding that their presence had helped keep the crime rate low in the neighbourhood.
The group also helps escort nurses, after work, safely to their homes.
Their voluntary deeds has created stronger bonds with residents as they are invited to open houses during festive seasons.
The spokesman urged the younger generation to join them in keeping the neighbourhood safe.
“Patrolling keeps our neighbourhood safe and we get to stay fit thanks to the hours of walking we put in,” he said.
SS2B
In SS2B, the neighbourhood patrolling effort has made residents feel safe to stroll out of their houses at night.
The SS2B Scheme Ronda Sukarela security chief Lee Kwee Cheng said their patrolling team also comprised working professionals.
Their common goal to make their neighbourhood safe has united residents.
“We had a bad incident in the past where a resident was robbed of valuables by a parang-wielding man.
“For a short period of time, residents feared stepping out of their houses. Our neighbourhood felt like a ghost town.
“However, things changed for the better when we started patrolling. Even the crime victim joined us.
“Now, we see more residents coming out of their houses and mingling with their neighbours at night,” she said.
“Most of us know our neighbours by name.
“When we know our neighbours, we can spot an outsider easily.
“If we feel something is amiss we will call the police.”
She 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 wants to rope in the female residents for daytime patrolling activities.
“We want to encourage the ladies to spare few hours a week to patrol the neighbourhood in the day ,” she said.
