[News Terms] 'Jayeol Bangbeomdae' Launched as a Legal Organization

The 'Jayeol Bangbeomdae' (Citizen Patrol) is a voluntary organization formed by local residents in cooperation with local police to prevent crime. The citizen patrol activities began in 1953 as a voluntary neighborhood night watch system, where local residents, determined to protect themselves from crime and to fill the gap caused by insufficient police resources, took it upon themselves to safeguard their own communities.

Together with the volunteer fire brigade, it became a representative community self-governance organization. In 1963, the Bangbeomwon (Crime Prevention Officer) system was introduced, but in 1989, when all Bangbeomwon were employed as local government officials, the community-led Bangbeomwon system was temporarily suspended. Later, in October 1990, with the declaration of the 'War on Crime,' the system was reorganized into the current form of Jayeol Bangbeomdae.

President Yoon Seok-yeol patrolling with volunteer crime prevention members. This photo was taken in December 2021 during his time as the People Power Party's presidential candidate.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 27th, the National Police Agency held a launch ceremony for the Jayeol Bangbeomdae at the National Police Agency auditorium in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, and awarded the police chief’s certificate to the newly established Korea Citizen's Patrol Central Association. With the enforcement of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Jayeol Bangbeomdae (Jayeol Bangbeomdae Act) on the same day, it became a legal entity.

Until now, the Jayeol Bangbeomdae had been a voluntary organization autonomously organized by local residents, cooperating with local police stations and precincts for crime prevention activities. From this day forward, it will operate as an official legal entity. There are currently 4,225 organizations nationwide, comprising a total of 100,442 members (as of October 2021).

Accordingly, it is expected that the legal status of Jayeol Bangbeomdae members and budget support will help stabilize the citizen patrol system and eliminate blind spots in public safety. The National Assembly Budget Office estimated that a total budget of 9.244 billion KRW will be required over the next five years for education and training, support for associations and federations, and awards for the Jayeol Bangbeomdae.

According to the Jayeol Bangbeomdae Act, the organization consists of Jayeol Bangbeomdae at the eup, myeon, and dong levels; Jayeol Bangbeomdae federations at the basic local government level of cities, counties, and districts; Jayeol Bangbeomdae associations at the metropolitan local government level of cities and provinces; and the Korea Citizen's Patrol Central Association representing the nationwide Jayeol Bangbeomdae. They operate under the guidance and supervision of the relevant police stations and the National Police Agency. Their activities include patrols and reporting for crime prevention, as well as youth guidance and protection. Members must comply with regulations regarding disqualifications, activities, uniforms and equipment, rules of the central and federated associations, and security support.