Crime busting : More commitment needed

Not more sophistication but more commitment that is needed

I refer to “Building owners in crime-prone areas must install CCTVs” (Star,Jan9).

We share the concerns of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, over the crime situation in the country which is far from ideal. We commend his personal involvement in fighting this menace which is threatening the peace of Malaysians. The increase in crime rate by 7.12% last year is frightening and a cause of worry for all.

Not a day passes without some gruesome crime being committed. I wonder what our country is really coming to. We can hardly go anywhere without fear of assault, robbery, rape and even murder. Even being caged in the home behind locked doors, grilles, expensive alarms and security guards does not seem to protect us from these criminals. Crimes are increasing by the day and we do not see signs that they will be brought under control anytime in the near future. The police and other law enforcement agencies appear to be ineffective in bringing the situation under control.

The Prime Minister’s personal involvement and his four fast-tract steps to fight crime is an admission of the gravity of the situation which has become very critical. These steps include the installation of CCTVs in high risk areas, re-employment of retired police officers, hiring more civilians to handle police administrative duties and setting up more police stations in crime prone areas.

With CCTVs installed in strategic locations, we may reduce crime to a certain degree but we must not be carried away that it is a fool-proof way of combating crime. Apart from being costly, there is also the question of their maintenance, which is always a problem in our country. Then there is also the other problem of vandalism which is a common cause of damage to public amenities. Will CCTVs escape the wrath of vandals? What is the use if after investing thousands of ringgit to install CCTVs they are not functioning when we really need them?

Even if the CCTV was in good working condition and we have recorded a crime, we need to further interpret, identify and trace the person who had committed the crime. Following that he/she has to be charged in court and proper punishment meted out in accordance with the law. The most frustrating thing is that many criminals may go scot-free after the long and arduous process of bringing them to justice.

The most important factor that is needed to effectively fight crime is not technological sophistications but the simple human factor - genuine commitment on the part of the people in general and the police force in particular. CCTVs and all the technological advancements are only tools in the fight against crime; the most vital component is the commitment of the police force. What we need is a police force that is adequately manned, dedicated, disciplined, independent, free from corruption and people friendly.

We may acquire all the latest high-tech methods and equipment but without the whole hearted commitment of the police, they will only go to waste. I am afraid what we lack is this whole-hearted commitment on the part of our police force.Delibrate attempts must be undertaken by the government, the police and all concerned parties to ensure that these prerequisites are there on the ground, otherwise all the sophisticated and advanced gadgets are not going to bring the desired effects in our fight against crime.

Dr.Chris Anthony