By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 9: The crime rate in Padawan experienced a downward trend in 2018 and 2019 but motorcyle theft saw an increase of 24 cases or 25.53 per cent.
Padawan District deputy police chief DSP Lim Jaw Shyong however emphasised that in comparison with the overall crime index between 2018 and 2019, it showed a slight drop of 12 cases or 1.51 per cent.
“Fifteen individuals are still in the record under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959.
“Throughout 2019, the Padawan District Narcotics Crime Investigation Division made 717 arrests compared to 515 arrests in 2018. There was an increase of 202 cases or 71 per cent in arrests in various cases,” he said.
As such, Lim pointed out the need for more community policing progammes to encourage local communities to work with the police to combat crime in Padawan.
“Beginning January this year, similar programmes like this will be organised on a monthly basis,” he disclosed during the Safety and Security Dialogue with Community programme held in conjunction with the Client’s Day event at the compound of Masjid Darul Ehsan, Kampung Haji Baki here today.
The programme was jointly organised by the Padawan District Police Headquarters and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) in collaboration with Kampung Haji Baki Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).
“This programme serves as a platform for police to get closer with the local community so people can meet and greet police officers face-to-face and openly.
“It is a great opportunity to enhance ties between the authority and the people as it enables all of us to communicate and share our views in our effort to fulfill the needs and expectations of the people towards the police force,” he said.
Lim gave assurance that the police force will improve its service delivery especially through community policing, omnipresence with patrols in hotspots and residential parks, as well as high profile policing.
“At the same time, conventional policing will continue to be carried out more aggressively through operations and preventions.
“We call on the residents to work, collaborate and support our efforts to ensure effective and successful community policing towards enhancing the police force,” he added.
MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and his deputy Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim were among those present. — DayakDaily
