State chief police officer Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob said Penang recorded 13,114 crime cases from Jan 1 to Sept 24 this year, a slight increase from last year’s 12,991.
“There were 2,507 violent crimes and 10,484 property crimes last year. This year, the number of violent crimes reported has decreased by 148, but property crimes have gone up to 10,755,” he said.
Penang is still the leading state when it comes to solving cases, with a rate of 53.1%.
“The national target is just 45% while Interpol is at 20%,” he said during a Community Policing Forum organised by the State Security and Public Safety Consultative Council on Sunday.
The forum was attended by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, state executive councillors, assemblymen, Penang municipal councillors, members of the police force, NGOs and politicians.
DCP Ayub said the state was recording up to 50 cases a day but was aiming to reduce the number to fewer than 45.
“We are targeting a rise of no more than 5% for now. Eventually, we hope to reach zero rise in crime,” he said, but admitted that the figures could not reflect the people’s true feelings about public security and their perception of the police.
He said the police force would improve the police delivery system and its officers’ administration, communication and crime handling skills, but the people needed to understand the function of the police and cooperate with them in crime prevention and reduction.
“For community policing to be effective, there has to be accessibility, sustainable solutions and involvement of the public, governmental bodies, NGOs, residents associations and rukun tetangga (neighbourhood watches),” he said.
He said the police had placed its officers in communities to work closely with the people and to represent the Force in residents association, rukun tetangga and Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) meetings to address security and safety matters.
DCP Ayub also recommended that entertainment outlets be located in one area for easier surveillance, enforcement and crime prevention efforts by the police.
“It will be a long-term move to curb crime. Some outlets create traffic congestion and are a public nuisance. Some of them are operating without licences.
“In this matter we need to get the state government to crack down on the illegal outlets. That will help us eradicate these places that could even be meeting places for criminals,” he said.
He said he would submit such a proposal to the state government in the coming state security council meeting.
Among the issues raised at the forum included citizen arrests, metal theft, detainees harassed while in police custody, waiving charges for Rakan Cop SMSes, errant motorists, and traffic congestion.
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