Fighting crime

Police must be more serious in fighting crime

The cabinet’s serious concern for the recent increase in crime especially in Johor Baru is commendable. It is not petty theft we are talking about. We are dealing with very serious crimes like gang rape and cold blooded-murder, which must be checked without delay and at all costs.

The decision to put more police personnel on the ground is a very encouraging move. The mere physical presence of these men in blue would go a long way in the fight against crime. The police must make their presence felt more effectively not just in JB but all over the country as the crime rate is unacceptably high in all major towns.

Deploying more police personnel to patrol our neighborhoods would definitely keep the criminals at bay thereby creating a sense of security and confidence among the people. The site of police in our neighborhoods is enough in many instances to allay our fears and boost our confidence. It is also the best deterrent for would be criminals and thugs.

Inadequate and inappropriate police action together with indiscipline and lack of respect for the laws by some members of the public are the major causes of increasing crime in the country. Education alone, I’m afraid now, may not be sufficient to reverse the situation to normal as our education system over the years has failed to instill discipline and good morals among the youth.

The only way out is for the police to come down hard on criminals, regardless of who they are. They must convince the criminals they mean business and would pay dearly for doubting their no nonsense stance. This hard line policy must be become a standard practice until a time when the people attain a more disciplined and civic minded culture as their way of life.

As the members of the public, we too must cooperate fully with the police to make this battle against crime a success. Without our cooperation all their efforts will be only in vain.

A closer police-people rapport is of utmost importance to combat crime in the community. Every attempt must be made to make our police force more people-friendly. This would enable an easy and hassle free access to them.

One way to bring them closer to the people is to decentralise the police service. Every district should be subdivided and mini-police stations with sufficient personnel must be made available to the local community. Members of Rela, RukunTetangga and other members of the local community could then be roped in to help the police in their combat against crime. With such a set up every housing area would feel the physical presence of police personnel on patrol.

The police must prove wrong the perception among the vast section of the rakyat that the increasing crime rate is due to their sheer incompetence, indifference and inability to combat criminals and reflects the failure on their part.

The people have a basic right to a crime free environment as they pay taxes to form an effective police force. Their expectation for a competent, courageous and sensitive police force that is committed to fighting criminals, I am sure is justified.

We must admit that for our police force to maintain an effective physical presence all the time may be costly and riddled with numerous problems and constraints but I bet it would be an investment that will never be regretted for generations to come.

Dr.Chris Anthony