Tackling crime at park with panic buttons

Lee (left) testing out the panic button at Taman Pudu Ulu in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. — P. NATHAN/The Star

WIRELESS panic buttons have been installed at the Taman Pudu Ulu Recreation Park in Kuala Lumpur as a measure to combat crime and protect visitors.

Initiated by the Friends of The Pudu Ulu Park Association (FTPUPA), and installed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the panic button will alert security personnel to initiate an immediate response in the event something untoward happens.

FTPUPA chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said several car break-ins and snatch thefts had prompted the group to increase safety standards.

“Visitors who come here need to be assured that any of the activities can be done safely.

“Unfortunately, there are some people who target visitors, especially in the early hours of the morning when the park opens at 6am,” he said during the launch of the new safety feature.

Lee added that apart from security issues, the panic buttons could be used in the event of medical emergencies as well.

Five of the standalone panic buttons have been installed at the 25.9ha park.

Taman Pudu Ulu is the second out of 16 parks managed by DBKL that have had panic buttons installed, after the Perdana Botanical Gardens.

During his speech, Lee also requested that Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad allocate funds for CCTV camera surveillance at the park.

He said the cameras could

be installed at the parking

areas to monitor for any criminal events.

“We do not have many parks in Kuala Lumpur, so it is all the more important that everyone should take responsibility to keep it clean,” he said.

On a related issue, Lee said they were glad that DBKL had managed to upgrade the infrastructure at the park. This included the building of a new public toilet, replacing faulty outdoor gym equipment, placing bicycle patrols and planting 123 trees.

The FTPUPA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to protect, preserve and improve the recreational park.