SHAH ALAM, 5 Apr: In efforts to reduce the crime rate in rural areas, the State Government has approved an additional allocation of RM2.46 million for the Neighbourhood Safety Team Programme.
The total of 492 villages under the programme includes traditional villages, new villages and quays as well as Indian community villages throughout Selangor.
Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Exco, Elizabeth Wong, said that the initiative of the programme is, among others, to help the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to monitor and control the crime rate which has been seen to worsen every day.
“Crime incidences are becoming more serious, not only in urban areas, but also in rural areas.
“With limited jurisdiction, this is one of the efforts that the State Government can endeavour together with the PDRM to fight crime,” said Elizabeth.
She explained that the programme is also a pilot programme which was conducted first under the supervision of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) last year.
“We saw that it was successful and we felt that it would be appropriate for the programme to be implemented throughout the state,” Elizabeth added.
The programme implemented is under the provisions of the Rural Development Division (PLB) of the District Office which will be included in the upcoming budget.
To participate in this programme, each village has to first establish a security team or a village committee.
The team is also required to use halls available in their areas as the operations room as well as to send activity reports to respective district offices.
For this sole programme, 358 traditional villages, 78 new villages and quays as well as 46 Indian community villages are involved, with each village receiving allocations of RM5,000.
The provisions given can only be used to buy equipment to help patrolling such as torchlights, whistles, vests, batons and so on.