This 'Star' Report Bears Repeating!

Monday June 29, 2009
SS2B RT voluntary patrolling scheme doubles membership
By JADE CHAN

THE SS2B Rukun Tetangga (RT) in Petaling Jaya commemorated the first year of its voluntary patrolling scheme (skim rondaan sukarela or SRS) by doubling its number of volunteers.

The National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) and SS2B RT provided the additional batch of 30 volunteers with items like luminous vests, whistles and batons.

“It is the unity and cooperation within the community that helps prevent crime,” said PJ OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed during the presentation ceremony.

“By patrolling the area, you will get to know your neighbours and neighbourhood, and be able to recognise the residents and those who are not local to the area.

“It helps the police with our work when we receive information from residents about suspicious people or unfamiliar vehicles in their neighbourhood,” said Arjunaidi.

“The SRS helps create uneasiness among the bad hats and update the police on the ongoings in the neighbourhood.”

Seapark police station officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Mohd Sahar Yunus said the SS2B RT’s SRS works closely with the Seapark police station, and regularly updates his officers on suspicious activities in the neighbourhood and times of crime incidence.

“Since the SRS was launched, the crime rate has decreased by half over the past year. It even went down to zero at one time last year.

“We send our officers or patrol vehicles to assist whenever the SRS conducts their patrolling,” said Mohd Sahar.

Arjunaidi also commended the SS2B RT on being able to maintain the scheme’s momentum since its launch, and even increasing its number of volunteers.

SS2B RT chairman Ngiam Chong Choy said the scheme was initiated upon the residents’ request to take a proactive move about the security for the 511 homes in SS2B.

“We sometimes patrol at night, sometimes during the daytime. We recently started a 5.30am patrol as well.

“The scheme complements the efforts by the police. In addition to making residents feel more safe and comfortable, it’s an opportunity for them to get to know their neighbours better,” said Ngiam.

He added that SS2B became a guarded neighbourhood from early June 2009 with the hiring of a security company to guard the neighbourhood.

Desmond Chew, 52, said he volunteered for the scheme as he wanted to help keep his neighbourhood safe.

“I hope more people will participate, and that more housing estates would take up the SRS.

“The scheme offers a great avenue to interact and network with our neighbours,” said the businessman.