Volunteers help to keep crime in check

THE safety patrolling programme has been quite helpful to the police in preventing petty crime, said Penang deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan.

“The Voluntary Patrol Scheme (SRS) is a very organised way where civilians can participate in crime prevention activities.

“Basically, SRS members must be law- abiding and respect everybody’s rights and at the same time, help to maintain law and order in their vicinity.

“We encourage more people to join as members,” he said during the Majlis Ramah Mesra SRS & PDRM jointly held by the SRS and Royal Malaysian Police at Eastin Hotel in Bayan Lepas recently.

He added that each unit would receive up to RM40,000 of group insurance, activity grant and also standard equipment including whistles and vest among others.

Penang Unity Department director Beh Sang How said currently there were 217 units comprising 4,300 volunteers under the scheme on both the island and the mainland.

A total of 500 SRS volunteers were present during the dinner.

During the ceremony, representatives from 15 SRS units including from Permatang Tiga, Taman Perai Utama and Lubuk Meriam received three walkie-talkies each while eight SRS units were awarded with certificates of participation in the Military Community Partnership.

Housewife Che Rahmoh Che Joh, 45, who is also a volunteer from Taman Permai, said the scheme was beneficial as it created unity among the members.

“A majority of volunteers in our unit are ladies but it does not make us any less effective as we play an important role in taking care of our area,” said Che Rahmoh.