Everyone should be involved in the fight against crime.' Do you agree ?
The rise in criminal activities has always been a matter of grave concern among Asians. Gone are the good old days when we could roam the streets freely and safely without fear of being robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, raped or even murdered. There have been comments that the authorities have not done enough to fight crime. What people fail to realize is that crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Crime prevention should include the authorities, such as the relevant ministries and government departments, the police, as well as the various NGOs and the public.
For their part, the authorities have beefed up the police force and put more police officers on the streets. Non-uniformed personnel have been assigned crime-prevention duties. Moreover, Mobile Police stations and Mobile Police Vehicles have been placed in crime-prone areas. Law enforcement alone is not enough. Law enforcers can only patrol areas periodically. They cannot possibly be everywhere all the time. It is the members of the public who can provide the police with relevant information, report the dangers that lurk in their neighborhoods or report suspicious characters. We have to be the eyes and ears of the police if we wish to eradicate crime.
We can also play our part in fighting crime by organizing neighborhood patrols. Residents can form their own residents' associations and link up with police stations nearby. It is only when the public become more vigilant and work hand-in-hand with the police that we see a significant reduction in crime.
More crime prevention campaigns should be organized to reinforce public awareness on the need to act together to combat crime. The media should not only report sensational news, such as brutal killings and grisly murders. It should educate the public on crime prevention. With responsible reporting, the media can help to create awareness and make the public more...