Following the Shinlim Station Random Murder, a Rape Incident Occurs on the Shinlim-dong Trail, Raising Concerns Over Gwanak-gu's Local Image
Gwanak-gu Official Expresses Worry: "If the Image of the Incident Area Deteriorates and Commercial Districts Die, What Will Happen?" ... Short- and Long-Term Measures Being Prepared to Reassure Residents
After a 5 PM Meeting Led by District Mayor Park Jun-hee, Measures Announced Including Operation of 'Park Safety Keepers' in Vulnerable Areas Such as Parks and Trails and Strengthening Activities of Autonomous Crime Prevention Teams in High-Risk Areas
Gwanak-gu is on high alert.
Not long after the public outrage over the random murder at Shinlim-dong, another incident has shaken local residents: a rape occurred in broad daylight on a quiet trail in a park in Shinlim-dong.
According to Gwanak-gu officials and residents, at around 11:40 AM on the 17th, a woman in her 30s was violently subdued and raped on a secluded trail above a park in Shinlim-dong, raising serious concerns among the community.
Especially since the random murder near Shinlim Station happened recently, the occurrence of such an unfortunate incident in quick succession has caused great worry among both residents and district office staff.
Accordingly, Park Jun-hee, Mayor of Gwanak-gu, held an emergency executive meeting at 5 PM on the 18th to devise both short- and long-term security enhancement measures.
Following the meeting, Mayor Park stated in a press release, "We will make every effort to prevent safety accidents by establishing a comprehensive living safety plan."
Mayor Park said that in response to rising resident anxiety due to recent consecutive crimes, a 'Gwanak-gu Living Safety Task Force (TF)' has been formed and a comprehensive plan established to create a safe living environment. First, 'Park Safety Keepers' will be organized and operated in safety-vulnerable areas such as parks and trails, and in areas where violent crimes are anticipated, autonomous crime prevention teams will be mobilized to strengthen joint patrol functions involving civilians, government, and police," he promised.
He also mentioned plans to expand the installation of intelligent CCTVs and SOS emergency bells, and to apply 'CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)' to improve alleyway environments, aiming to prevent crimes and accidents proactively.
Mayor Park emphasized that going forward, Gwanak-gu will create a safe district where residents can live with peace of mind by preparing fundamental measures that meet the needs of the community.
Earlier that morning, Deputy Mayor Lee Young-gi presided over a meeting with department heads to quickly prepare immediate measures, including posting banners encouraging 'walking in mountain trails with two or more people' in parks and other areas.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also visited the site at 2 PM with spokesperson Lee Dong-ryul and city reporters, received a briefing on the incident from the Gwanak Police Chief, and pledged to strengthen CCTV installation on the trails, implement CPTED measures, and enhance citizen safety.
With these unfortunate incidents occurring one after another, Gwanak-gu office staff are deeply concerned. One official said, "The commercial district has suffered a significant blow since the Shinlim Station murder," and added, "With this recent rape incident on the trail, the area's image will likely deteriorate considerably."
Although Gwanak-gu had long been associated with a shantytown image, the area has developed significantly through redevelopment; however, the occurrence of such major incidents seems inevitably damaging to the local image.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also instructed Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun in the afternoon to strengthen security activities related to the Shinlim-dong rape incident to reassure the public.
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