Keeping a watchful eye: Lans Kpl Mohammad Azwan Azman (left) and Konstabel Muhammad Al Mubarak Zulkifli, from the Taman Tun Dr Ismail police station in Kuala Lumpur, checking and patrolling homes as residents return to their hometowns for Hari Raya. — File picPETALING JAYA: More than 3,000 crime hotspots will be watched by police during patrols for the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations, says Bukit Aman.
The balik kampung holiday exodus, which begins this weekend, will also see the deployment of more than 6,000 personnel from the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) throughout the duration of Op Selamat, from March 29 to April 3.
Speaking to The Star, Bukit Aman JPJKK director Comm Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said 3,148 crime prevention hotspots had been identified across the country.
“These hotspots are identified based on reports received by the police regarding crimes involving property and violence and have been studied by the JPJKK chiefs at the state and district levels,” he said.
Selangor tops the number of hotspots with 764, followed by Kuala Lumpur with 446.
Comm Wan Hassan said JPJKK would focus on efforts to reduce property crime rates such as burglary cases throughout the period of Op Selamat.
“To achieve this objective, the elements within JPJKK that will be fully mobilised are the Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) and Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB) elements.
“This will involve more frequent patrols in residential areas and high-risk locations,” he said.
A total of 2,670 patrol cars and 1,800 URB motorcycles along with 6,543 personnel from MPV and URB will be deployed for patrol duties through this festive season.
“Patrols will be conducted 24 hours in shifts, covering 1,129 patrol areas,” he said, adding that leave had been frozen and would only be granted for emergency cases.
Police statistics show that there was a slight increase in burglary cases during the Raya period last year compared to previous years.
There was a total of 190 burglary and theft cases in 2024 compared to 166 in 2023 and 172 in 2022.
Comm Wan Hassan said crime prevention patrols during the festive season and Op Selamat will also focus on homes that have been left vacant by residents returning to their hometowns, where residents have made movement reports at nearby police stations or through online reports using the Volunteer Smartphone app.
“Based on the information received, frontline personnel will carry out more frequent patrols at these places,” he said.
“Checks show that most of these burglary cases involve homes or premises whose occupants had not reported their return to their hometown to the police.”
Additional patrols will also be conducted by other elements within the police force, including patrols at the police station levels.
Comm Wan Hassan advised those who are not returning to their hometowns to report suspicious activities to the police.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said Bukit Aman had identified 432 congestion hotspots and 122 accident blackspots nationwide.
For highways and expressways, police found hotspots and 46 blackspots, while federal, state and city roads contained 407 hotspots and 76 blackspots.
“Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) personnel will be on hand to monitor the situation continuously and provide assistance in case of emergencies or vehicle breakdowns.
“The presence of JSPT personnel is aimed at facilitating traffic if a major congestion occurs.
“Stern action will also be taken against any traffic offenders.”
“Close to 7,000 JSPT personnel will be on duty for this year’s Ops Selamat.
“We advise the public to abide by traffic regulations and drive or ride safely.
“Road users must also ensure their vehicles are at optimum level and get enough sleep and rest before beginning their journeys,” he said.
