KUCHING: Crime prevention should be a part of school activities as it helps educate schoolchildren at a young age.
Padawan Police Crime Prevention and Community Safety chief ASP Abdul Wadi Abdul Rani, representing Padawan police chief, said this yesterday at a Crime Prevention Talk at SJKC Sam Hap Hin.
The talk was organised by Sarawak Community Policing Association (SCPA) with Padawan District Police, and a total of 362 Year Five and Six students attended.
Sub-Insp Ooi Hock Gun gave the talk to educate the pupils about how crimes happen, the causes and prevention.
“We are shocked at the number of criminal cases involving schoolchildren and teenagers.
“Among the most common are bullying and delinquency, which makes them vulnerable to such unhealthy activities as smoking and illegal racing.
“Peer influence is also a common cause. They would hang out in certain places after school such as supermarkets or shopping malls,” ASP Abdul Wadi said, stressing that if they chose the wrong friends, they would easily get caught up in unhealthy activities.
He said crime prevention should be a part of school activities and parent-teacher associations.
“A number of crime prevention measures have been implemented, among which the Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) has established a relationship with the school by appointing a school liaison officer (PPS) to monitor the safety of the school.
“Schools that have pupils involved in crime will be monitored closely by PPS,” he said.
He also said emphasis on religious education and moral values should be given priority as well.
Meanwhile, SCPA chairman Datuk Dr John Lau Pang Heng told the press that SCPA intended to organise more talks for schools involving IPD Padawan, IPD Kuching, IPD Samarahan and in rural areas on a monthly basis (one school a month).
“Currently, we have a total of 18,000 members, and 16,000 members are in Kuching. Our members are working with the association on a voluntary basis.
“There will be more registering with us, especially from housing neighbourhoods in Petra Jaya, 13th Mile, Batu Kawa and Samarahan.
“Registering with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), we do not get paid because we are volunteering to help our community to be crime-free,” he said.
After the talk, Lau presented school bags to 50 less privileged pupils, which was followed by a canine (K-9) team demonstration.
