KUCHING – Residents, community leaders and representatives of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) gathered at a community hall in Batu Kitang today for the Neighbourhood First Community Engagement Dialogue, an initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation between the public and law enforcement while promoting crime prevention and neighbourhood safety.
The programme, organised by the N13 SUPP Batu Kitang Branch together with the N13 Batu Kitang Service Centre, brought together local residents, community representatives and police officers for an afternoon of discussions and practical demonstrations focusing on community safety.
Batu Kitang assemblyman YB Dato Lo Khere attended the event and delivered the welcoming address, expressing appreciation to everyone who made time to participate in the dialogue.
He also welcomed representatives from PDRM, community leaders and residents, highlighting the importance of working together to create a safer environment for everyone.
In his speech, Lo said, “Today’s dialogue aims to strengthen cooperation between the community and PDRM, raise awareness on crime prevention, and promote a safer and more secure neighbourhood for everyone.”
He noted that community participation plays an increasingly important role in supporting crime prevention efforts alongside the authorities.
Through continuous engagement between residents and the police, local communities can become more alert to potential security concerns while fostering stronger relationships built on trust and cooperation.
The event was coordinated with the support of organiser Tuan Leonard Sabu and the N13 Batu Kitang Service Centre.
Among those present were Dr Rajan, Ms Imebla Sim, Councillor Thomas Si, community leaders, village representatives and residents from across Batu Kitang, reflecting broad community support for initiatives that encourage closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Throughout the programme, police officers and organisers led discussions on practical ways residents can contribute to crime prevention within their own neighbourhoods.
The dialogue encouraged participants to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities promptly and work collectively to maintain a peaceful and harmonious community.
A key feature of the programme was a demonstration of the Royal Malaysia Police’s Volunteer Smartphone Patrol, better known as VSP. The initiative forms part of PDRM’s community policing strategy and encourages members of the public to become active partners in crime prevention through the use of digital technology.
The Volunteer Smartphone Patrol programme was officially launched on 25 March 2017 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the Pulapol Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
It is managed by the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department, also known as Jabatan Pencegahan Jenayah dan Keselamatan Komuniti (JPJKK), which oversees the initiative nationwide.
During the demonstration, participants were introduced to the functions available through the VSP mobile application and how it enables the public to communicate directly with the police.
Unlike traditional reporting methods that relied primarily on telephone hotlines or short message services, the application allows users to submit information together with photographs, videos and GPS coordinates, providing officers with more detailed reports that can assist investigations and emergency responses.
Police representatives explained that the application was developed to strengthen cooperation between communities and law enforcement by making it easier for residents to report incidents quickly and accurately.
The availability of multimedia evidence and location information can help improve situational awareness and support faster action when required.
Residents were also briefed on the types of incidents that may be reported through the platform. These include snatch theft cases, drug-related offences, criminal activities, illegal street racing and smuggling.
Police encouraged members of the public to provide accurate information whenever possible to assist enforcement efforts while avoiding the spread of unverified reports.
The discussion sessions provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions directly to police representatives regarding neighbourhood security, crime prevention measures and the appropriate channels for reporting suspicious activities.
Participants also exchanged views on how stronger communication between communities and law enforcement could contribute to safer residential areas.
Community policing initiatives have become an important component of public safety strategies across Malaysia.
By encouraging residents to participate actively in protecting their neighbourhoods, authorities aim to improve public awareness while strengthening cooperation between communities and enforcement agencies.
Programmes such as the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol complement conventional policing by enabling members of the public to serve as additional eyes and ears within their communities.
The Neighbourhood First Community Engagement Dialogue concluded with a shared commitment from organisers, police representatives and residents to continue strengthening partnerships that support crime prevention and public safety.
Organisers expressed hope that similar programmes would continue in the future, helping to build safer, more peaceful and more resilient neighbourhoods throughout Batu Kitang and the wider Kuching area.
