Seongbuk-gu, Seamless Public-Private-Police Cooperation to Ensure Resident Safety

Seongbuk-gu, Seongbuk-gu Council, Seongbuk, Jongam Police Station, Seongbuk Gangbuk Education Support Office, Seongbuk Tax Office, Seongbuk Fire Station and 7 Related Agencies Hold Security Council Working Meeting on 29th to Discuss Strengthening Patrols and Support Measures Against Indiscriminate Crimes

As a series of indiscriminate violent crimes targeting numerous citizens have occurred recently, Seongbuk-gu and related organizations are focusing on protecting residents' safety and alleviating anxiety through seamless cooperation.

Seongbuk-gu held an emergency meeting with public-private-police security officials on the 22nd, followed by a working-level meeting of the Security Council on the 29th. About 30 people, including heads of working departments from seven related organizations?Seongbuk-gu, Seongbuk-gu Council, Seongbuk Police Station, Jongam Police Station, Seongbuk Gangbuk Office of Education, Seongbuk Fire Station, and Seongbuk Tax Office?gathered at this meeting.

They agreed on measures to strengthen patrols and support in response to indiscriminate crimes, including ▲ expanding patrol organizations and conducting joint public-private patrols ▲ launching ceremonies for the Security Council and joint patrol teams ▲ reviewing and expanding related facilities and equipment ▲ and linking proactive crisis management using medical and welfare systems.

The ‘Expansion of Patrol Organizations and Joint Public-Private Patrols’ involves 21 organizations appointed by the Seongbuk-gu Security Council, which consists of Seongbuk-gu, Seongbuk and Jongam Police Stations, and Seongbuk Fire Station, participating in patrol activities. Until now, about 12 organizations with approximately 12,000 members have voluntarily conducted patrols. Through this working-level meeting, patrol participation will be encouraged for 14 additional organizations to establish a more thorough security network. This will enable not only the discovery of additional vulnerable areas beyond existing patrol zones but also focused patrols during nighttime hours.

A ‘Launching Ceremony for the Security Council and Joint Patrol Teams’ will also be held. The ceremony before Chuseok aims to help residents feel safe and enjoy the holiday.

Plans were also made to improve the performance and install new related ‘facilities and equipment’ such as intelligent CCTV and LED security lights, and to create a safe living environment through crime prevention infrastructure based on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

Earlier, in July, Seongbuk-gu established the ‘Smart Seoul CCTV Safety Network Integrated Platform,’ which utilizes 4,254 intelligent CCTVs across the entire district to secure golden time for residents' safety by linking real-time video with police stations, fire stations, and other emergency services during urgent situations.

Additionally, the installation of the latest intelligent CCTVs, LED security lights, and emergency bells will be expanded on hiking trails, walking paths, and neighborhood trails. CPTED-based women’s safe return home paths and floor lighting will also be installed in university areas and redevelopment zones within the district to alleviate residents’ anxiety. Protective equipment for the safety of patrol participants will be actively supported. The police and community centers, which have the most detailed knowledge of security and local areas, will collaborate to identify installation locations.

Since the main causes of indiscriminate crimes are identified as ‘dissatisfaction with reality’?where individuals isolated from society blame society itself?‘mental disorders’ requiring diagnosis and treatment, and ‘chronic anger’ leading to repeated violent crimes, focus will also be placed on ‘linking proactive crisis management using medical and welfare systems.’

Seongbuk Public Health Center, in cooperation with primary medical institutions, runs programs such as ‘Life Connection Stethoscope’ to support psychological treatment for Seongbuk residents. Various projects promoted by community centers and welfare departments will be linked to provide active management and customized support for each target group.

Other measures discussed include strengthening late-evening patrols for college entrance exam students, conducting self-defense training for families, and focused patrols at locations with a high possibility of multiple casualties such as complaint offices of various institutions, reflecting on-site conditions and proposing diverse solutions.

Deputy Mayor Shin Sang-cheol said, “As cooperation among related organizations is more crucial than ever to proactively respond to the rapidly increasing indiscriminate crimes, I hope that the public-private-police sectors of Seongbuk-gu will pool their capabilities and strengthen the existing activities of the Seongbuk-gu Security Council to alleviate residents’ anxiety and ensure a safe life.”