WHILE the trend now seems to be barricading housing areas, a group of residents in Subang Jaya and USJ have volunteered to patrol the streets.
Mak Meng Chin, a USJ 11 resident, initiated the Voluntary Patrol Unit (VPU) in December last year with Subang Jaya municipal councillor Rajiv Rishyakaran and they had since roped in about 50 volunteers.
“Gated and guarded schemes are not the long-term solution to fighting crime.
“With patrolling, we increase the presence of watchful eyes on the streets to deter crime,” the 46-year-old said.
The unit has been patrolling Subang Jaya and USJ since January 11, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays in two-hour shifts.
One volunteer, one police officer and one Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) employee would meet at the USJ 8 police station before proceeding to the residential areas, especially those without the gated and guarded scheme.
They keep a logbook of the areas they have patrolled, so the volunteers in the following shifts could decide where to head to next.
Some volunteers even take time off from work to participate in this effort.
“Everyone — retirees or working adults — can volunteer. We have a bank employee who has sought permission from his boss to patrol for two hours before going to work,” Mak said.
Besides patrolling the streets and keeping an eye on suspicious characters, the volunteers also look out for unlocked gates and advice house- owners to keep their gates closed at all times.
“When they leave their gates open, they lose one line of defence. Anyone can enter their houses freely and destroy the locks of their front doors in seconds,” Mak said.
USJ 4 resident James Lok joined the VPU since the very beginning and he patrols once a week.
“We have heard of a lot of snatch thefts and break-ins. This is a community service to ensure the area is safe,” the 56-year-old retiree said.
Rajiv said many were sceptical when the idea of forming this unit was first brought up, but it had been progressing well.
“Other areas can follow suit and start their own patrolling units, too,” he said.
USJ 8 police station officer-in-charge ASP Loi Yew Lik said the patrolling effort is effective as the crime rate in USJ has shown a decline by about 10%.
“I contribute one staff member for eight hours a day to this patrol unit, which covers quite a large area.
“Most importantly, the project has received an encouraging response from the public. It won’t work if the public don’t chip in their efforts,” he said.
Loi added that the patrolling also served as a good interaction point for his men to get to know the public.
Mak stressed that it was safe to be involved in this patrolling effort as the volunteers do not confront and catch the perpetrators, but left it to the police officers.
The group even has four women volunteers.
Those interested in joining the VPU or sponsoring vehicles and funds, can e-mail Mak at mcmak64@hotmail.com.