Community policing association welcomes Ops Harapan launch

KUCHING: Sarawak Community Policing Association ( SCPA) has congratulated the Royal Malaysia Police on the recent launch of its new crime prevention programme, ‘Ops Harapan’.

In a press release yesterday, SCPA stressed the importance of citizens working together with the police to combat crime through effective partnerships and strategies.

“Since the launching of SCPA on March 1, 2015, SCPA has formed 56 neighbourhood crime watch groups in housing estates in Kuching. These groups consist of dedicated citizens who are always on the lookout for suspicious activities in their respective housing estates.

“As soon as they have identified any suspicious activities, they will immediately report to the police who will then respond promptly to the report,” said the statement.

It pointed out that acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police has proven to be an effective method in reducing and preventing crime, with SCPA members The also working with the police to organise patrol groups in their respective neighbourhoods.

The patrol groups are made up of SCPA members and volunteers from the community who will then alert the police of any suspicious criminal activities.

SCPA recommended that every housing estate should have at least one neighbourhood crime watch group as local residents have greater observation of their respective neighbourhoods.

“It is also important to maintain a clean and orderly neighbourhood.

“A disorderly neighbourhood gives the impression that the place is neglected and can potentially attract criminal activities.

“Citizens can play their part by keeping their houses in good repair, keeping the drains clean and maintaining good relationship with neighbours while the local government should also keep the street brightly lit and maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings.”

To be part of SCPA in its efforts to combat crime, contact 0103268333 for more information.