Men in blue on high alert

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Police to step up crime prevention patrols, monitoring of residential and business areas during the Hari Raya festive period

Mazlan presenting a new helmet to a motorcyclist during Op Selamat 9 in Kota Samarahan yesterday.

Mazlan presenting a new helmet to a motorcyclist during Op Selamat 9 in Kota Samarahan yesterday.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: The ninth ‘Op Selamat’ held in conjunction with the coming Hari Raya celebration kicked off yesterday with nearly half of the state police force deployed for crime prevention and traffic enforcement duties.

State police chief Datuk Mazlan Mansor said the operation, which would run till July 13, would focus on preventing house breaking cases and minimising road-accident cases.

“We will be deploying nearly half of our total personnel from all state and district-level police departments to do crime prevention patrols, gather intelligence, conduct operations, and monitor residential and business areas during the festive period,” he said during the official launch of ‘Op Selamat 9’ here yesterday.

“Additionally, with the expected increase in the number of road users, traffic enforcement officers will be conducting speed traps and road patrols to catch those who use mobile phones while driving, cutting queues, and overtaking on double lines.”

Mazlan also revealed that police would be working closely with government departments and agencies as well as local councils during Op Selamat 9, but cautioned home and business owners against solely depending on others to protect their properties.

“We will carry out our duties, but property owners must take the necessary steps to safeguard their homes and businesses. Don’t ‘invite’ criminals by neglecting to protect your homes in your excitement to rush back to the kampungs for Hari Raya.”

He advised those who would be away during the holiday period to inform their neighbours of their planned absence and to also notify the police so that scheduled patrols could be carried out in the respective areas.

In terms of traffic enforcement, Mazlan said the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department had identified 60 accident-prone areas throughout the state that police would be focusing on in an effort to reduce the number of road accidents.

“Previously, we did not conduct any speed trap operations in the state. Not only will we be doing it this time but we will also catch them on the spot and issue summonses if they are caught speeding.

“For those who ‘love’ to beat traffic lights, especially motorcyclists, I urge them to cease doing so as we will have people monitoring traffic light intersections.”

Mazlan added that such actions were necessary due to the increase in the number of road accidents as well as road fatalities in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2015.

He revealed that police recorded a 7.84 per cent increase in the number of road accidents throughout the state so far this year, with road fatalities registering an increase of 9.14 per cent from 175 cases to 191 cases.

“Don’t be careless or selfish while on the road. Plan your trip back to the kampung properly to avoid rushing and make sure your vehicles are in roadworthy condition besides being well-rested for the journey ahead.”

Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo, deputy state police commissioner Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusuf, state Fire and Rescue Department director Nor Hisham Mohammad, state Road Safety Department director Davina Agnes Enteli, state police department heads and district police chiefs were among those present during the launch of Op Selamat 9.