CCTVs at crime-prone areas

MP: Install CCTVs at crime-prone areas

BUTTERWORTH: CLOSED circuit television (CCTV) cameras should be installed in Chai Leng Park which has been listed as one of the crime-prone areas in Butterworth.

Batu Kawan MP Huan Cheng Guan said a snatch theft occurred daily in the area with residents complaining that they were afraid of their safety and that of their children.

“People in the area, especially women, complain that it is no longer safe to walk along the streets in Chai Leng Park as snatch thieves are on the prowl.

“The area, especially near the market, is a hive of activities in the morning. It is one of the busiest aread in Butterworth,” Huan said.

He said another area that should have CCTVs was Taman Inderawasih in Prai as many banks were located there.

“I will meet the South and Central Seberang Prai district police chiefs to give input on crime statistics in the two areas and hope they will give priority for the installation of CCTVs in both places,” he added.

Huan was commenting on the plan by Penang police to install CCTVs in 24 more areas within the state’s six Safe City Initiative projects.

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Koh Hong Sun had said he would write to Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon about the need to have the CCTVs installed.

“I hope DCP Koh will consider installing CCTVs in these two areas,” he added.

A trader, who wanted to be known only as Choeng, said snatch thefts were a common topic of conversation in Chai Leng Park due to their frequent occurrence.

“We hope police will increase patrols and deploy more policemen to the area. The presence of policemen is the most important aspect to deter crime,” he added.

Source : The Star
Friday January 18, 2008