Crime Rate Decreased by 43% After Operation of Nowon-gu Safety Patrol Team

Crime Rate Drops by 43% Since First Launch in 2023, Patrol Activities to Continue This Year
Building a Safe Nowon System: Harmonizing CCTV, Drone Monitoring, and Human Patrols
Early Detection of Dulle-gil Hazards, Forest Protection, and Prompt Emergency Aid for Injured Hikers

Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will continue to operate the 'Dulle-gil Safety Patrol Team' this year to ensure the safety of its residents.

Following a murder incident on the Gwanaksan Dulle-gil trail in August 2023, concerns arose that "even the Dulle-gil trails are not safe," making safety measures a major social issue. The district has steadily reinforced crime prevention infrastructure such as CCTV and emergency bells, and since November of that year, began patrols conducted directly by people.

The deterrent effect of the feeling that someone is watching, and the reassurance that someone who can help is nearby, proved significant. According to data from the Seoul Nowon Police Station last year, since the Nowon Safety Patrol Team began its activities, the crime rate on Dulle-gil trails (mountain areas) in Nowon-gu has decreased by 43%. Based on the experience and achievements of the Safety Patrol Team, the district has refined its operation methods and decided to continue operating the patrol team this year as well.

The patrol routes were set mainly in areas with many Dulle-gil users and where emergency responders such as police or firefighters have difficulty arriving immediately, enhancing patrol effectiveness. The area near Suraksan Natural Recreation Forest (Surak 休), scheduled to open in the first half of this year, was also included in the patrol routes, with plans made in advance considering changes in patrol route conditions throughout the year.

This year, eight personnel were newly hired through recruitment procedures and deployed starting in March. According to district officials, among them are members continuing from last year, those with police work experience, and members familiar with the patrol routes and surrounding terrain.

The members wear brightly colored uniforms that can be identified from a distance while on patrol. The uniforms bear the 'Safety Patrol Team' logo and are equipped with tools for emergencies, including flashing lights and whistles. Additionally, they have body cameras, electronic patrol location trackers, and a communication network that allows constant contact with other patrol members and the local police station, establishing a swift and accurate cooperation system.

The district is working to build a safety network using advanced equipment such as additional intelligent CCTVs and drones, while continuing effective operation of crime prevention activities conducted directly by people, such as the Safety Patrol Team and the Autonomous Crime Prevention Team, as a key pillar in maintaining a safe city. Mayor Oh Seung-rok also encouraged the members and urged them to carry out their patrol duties responsibly during a recent joint patrol on the Dulle-gil trails earlier this month.

Activities involving walking and observing directly by people produce various secondary effects beyond crime deterrence. During patrols, members inspect Dulle-gil facilities and safety-vulnerable points to report safety issues, educate smokers, and report forest damage. Notably, there have been five cases where members provided emergency care on-site to citizens who lost consciousness and collapsed in the mountains and assisted in their transport by 119 rescue teams.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, "Residents' trust in safety is the first and most fundamental step in urban administration," adding, "We will actively improve vulnerabilities and blind spots with the mindset that there is no such thing as excessive investment in safety."