Residents have been understandably concerned with the recent incidents of robbery. Like many issues, I would like to take some time to highlight how fighting crime is not one person’s sole responsibility, but a collective responsibility. We all have a part to play. I will illustrate this by highlighting the stakeholders I have engaged on this issue.
First are the police. I have expressed my concerns to OCPD Subang Jaya Tuan Risikin Satiman with regards to our residents’ safety. He assured me that he has deployed all elements namely crime prevention patrols, car patrols, road-blocks, balai bergerak and special task forces. I am also informed that the police have conducted special operations led by the Crime Prevention and Community Safety’s Division.
He also shared with me some tips on how residents can play their part in preventing crime. First, ensure that your gates are locked. Ensure also that your cars are locked if it is parked outside. There have been incidents in the past where robbers were given easy access into homes and cars because doors and gates were not locked. Although most parts of Subang Jaya are now guarded, residents must still take safety precautions.
Besides that, residents should also take extra precautions when you are away for a long period. Inform your neighbours so that they can help look out for you. This is why I find it so important for neighbours to come out and get to know one another. During festive seasons, you can even register your house with the police and they will conduct special patrols.
When you come across suspicious activity, there is an option to lodge a report via the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP), which is a smartphone app that provides direct access to the police. It allows photos and videos to be uploaded – a feature unavailable through a regular 999 call. Residents who have used this app have provided good feedback. Police response time has also been quick.
The second stakeholder: MPSJ. I have asked MPSJ to ensure that streetlights and lights at bus stops are working. Whilst they have been doing their best, I would like to appeal to residents to help them in the process – if you see lights that are not working, help MPSJ out by alerting your councillors about it.
The third stakeholder: Residents. Aside from the above, the biggest assistance that residents can lend when an incident has occurred is to not speculate. Speculation leads to fear mongering over un-established facts and then finger pointing. An example is the recent accident at Persiaran Kewajipan. Someone told me that the accident occurred due to an illegal u-turn. Another person told me that it occurred due to a legal right turn from USJ towards Mydin. But what the police confirmed instead was that the vehicle was going straight from USJ towards Subang Jaya. However, by that time, different permutations of speculation had surfaced, which had in turn led to fingers pointed at under aged driving (not true), lack of signage (signage is not necessary for driving straight), jaywalking, that the u-turn should be made legal etc.
A healthier response would have been to let the facts surface, disregard hearsay and discern from the facts what steps can be taken to improve the situation.
Remember – death and life is in the power of the tongue. The pen is also mightier than the sword – both for good and bad. We must all be responsible in how we wield these tools, especially in this time and age where information (both true and false) can be disseminated rapidly.
