7 days ago
PJ residents mark success of community-led patrols
(Left) Balbir (standing far left), Danker (standing sixth from left) with Section 10 RA committee members. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/ The Star
SECTION 10, a multiracial neighbourhood in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is proving that strong community spirit is the best defence against challenges.
This residential area, established in the 1960s, has successfully re-energised its community patrolling efforts post-pandemic.
The Section 10 Residents Association (RA) celebrated this togetherness in its 13th muhibbah dinner.
The dinner, at SMJK Katholik, was attended by Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Shahrulnizam Ja'afar, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran and Church of St Francis Xavier parish priest Rev Father Alvin Ng Sze Syn.
(Above) ACP Shahrulnizam having a chat with PJ residents at the dinner.
RA community safety head Balbir Singh shared how residents, in collaboration with the police, are actively safeguarding their homes.
'We rotate among 10 active residents for the patrolling sessions, working alongside the police's Motorised Patrol Unit,' he said.
With no guarded or gated system, these community-led patrols are crucial, said Balbir.
'In the past, we faced petty thefts because our neighbourhood is connected to open spaces like the park,' he added.
Adding another layer of security, the neighbourhood boasts 20 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and four control stations strategically placed within residents' homes, said Section 10 RA chairman Ronald Danker.
He said this initiative had been in place for a decade.
Danker said the yearly maintenance cost for the CCTV system was approximately RM10,000.
Despite challenges like lightning strikes and general wear and tear, he emphasised its value.
'The cost of maintenance is high, but we find the CCTVs useful to have in the neighbourhood.
'Sometimes the police even ask to view the CCTV footage for their investigations,' Danker said.
About 115 residents attended the event, which was partly sponsored by businesses in the neighbourhood.
