Eunpyeong-gu Expands Operation of 'Safe Security Guards' at Community Service Centers

Protecting Staff and Visiting Petitioners
at Dong Community Service Centers

Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) is expanding the operation of the ‘Safe Security Guards at Dong Community Service Centers’ to five centers to protect the staff and visiting civil petitioners.

Operation scene of the Safety Security Officer. Provided by Eunpyeong-gu.

The district initiated a pilot operation of Safe Security Guards at four Dong Community Service Centers last year after continuous cases of suffering caused by malicious civil petitions such as habitual or repetitive complaints, assault, and threats. This year, the program is expanded to five centers.

The ‘Safe Security Guard’ stays on duty during the operating hours of the Dong Community Service Centers and protects staff and other visiting petitioners in emergency situations, such as when malicious petitioners visit.

This year, Safe Security Guards will be assigned to five neighborhoods with a high number of visiting petition cases and welfare recipients: Nokbeon-dong, Bulgwang 1-dong, Bulgwang 2-dong, Gusan-dong, and Yeokchon-dong. An employee at one of the centers that participated in last year’s pilot said, “The mere presence of the security guard provides psychological stability and also helps with routine petition guidance.”

According to a survey on malicious civil petitions released by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission in July last year, the total number of malicious petitioners nationwide at administrative agencies was 2,784. Among them, 1,372 were at basic local governments, showing their vulnerability to malicious petitions.

District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung stated, “We will strive to protect the staff working on the front lines of civil petition administration at Dong Community Service Centers and create a safe working environment to provide high-quality administrative services.”