Published on April 27, 2005
Shop owners and community leaders using cameras, guards to deter criminal acts
In a bid to deter crime, the Metropolitan Police Bureau has launched a campaign in co-operation with shopping malls and community leaders that involves the setting up of “safety zones” around the city.
“Since the campaign was launched in February, police have been offering advice on crime-deterrent measures and helped to establish 71 safety zones around Bangkok,” said Maj-General Wiroj Chantarangsri, Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner. Under the campaign, police provide guidelines for guard duties, security checks and the installation of surveillance cameras for each community or shopping mall. Each community or shop- ping mall bears the cost of employing the guards and the installation of crime-deterrent equipment. The surveillance monitors are linked to nearby police stations. Pathum Wan police station is one of the stations overseeing the safety zones. In a pilot safety zone, Chulalongkorn University, operator of Siam Square shopping mall, installed 16 surveillance cameras and employed 200 guards, said Colonel Supisal Pakdinaruenat, superintendent of Pathum Wan police station. Supisal said there had been a substantial drop in theft and physical-assault cases since the safety zone was established at Siam Square. Lt-Colonel Samart Tuchinda, deputy superintendent of Bang Rak police station, said his station’s safety zones covered business and entertainment areas on Silom, Suriwongse, Patpong and Thaniya roads. Surveillance cameras were installed in a number of crime-prone areas and police patrol the busy roads around the clock, Samart said. He said the station also operated a website (www.patpongbangrak.com) for citizens to report crimes anonymously and had organised a training programme for police volunteers. Entertainment workers and street vendors have been recruited to help police identify criminals who prey on foreign visitors, Samart added. Chana Songkhram police station has designated Khao San Road as a safety zone. Its superintendent, Colonel Wichan Borirakkul, said business proprietors and foreign visitors at the budget-tourism area had responded enthusiastically to the scheme and co-operated with police on crime-deterrent measures. Chananthida Siangsanoh, a shopper, said surveillance cameras at shopping malls boosted her feeling of safety. “I believe shoppers will feel more secure and the equipment might even help solve crimes,” she said. Budsarakham Sinlapalavan The Nation
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