Melanie hands over goodies to Wagiman while other police personnel look on.
KOTA KINABALU: Crime rate in the areas under Luyang police station has dropped for the last three years, said Luyang Police chief Sub-Inspector Wagiman Seno.
He said crime rate for 2010 and 2011 had dropped successfully with 391 and 376 cases registered respectively.
“There was a reduction of 25 cases between January and August this year compared to the same period last year,” he said when briefing Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia at Luyang Police Station yesterday.
Melanie and her entourage visited the Luyang police station to hand over Hari Raya goodies for police personnel in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri which begins today.
Wagiman said the drop in crime rate in Luyang was due to public cooperation and the good rapport between the police and the local communities over the years.
The Luyang constituency is divided into nine areas and each has a police team tasked with community policing.
These police teams are required to know their areas as well as the residents in the respective areas.
The Luyang Police Station has a strength of 42 police officers and personnel serving about 80,000 people residing in more than 180 housing estates in the area.
Meanwhile, Melanie attributed the reduction in crime rate in Luyang to the positive impact of the Community Policing programme which was initiated in the constituency many years ago.
“The good cooperation between the police and the local community leaders and the residents is important to keep crime at bay,” she said.
However, Melanie felt that the number of personnel at the Luyang police station should be increased in view of the increasing number of people in the area.
Melanie who is also Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wanita chief also suggested that the Luyang police station increase its number of female personnel from just two at the moment.
Melanie also advised Luyang folks to inform the police before going for for holiday.