Jeju-do to Protect Neighborhood Safety with Companion Dogs

Recruitment of 200 Teams for "Daengdaengi Safety Guardians"
"Let's Protect Our Neighborhood's Safety While Walking Our Dogs"

Exterior view of Jaejudo Government Building.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is recruiting participants for the "Daengdaengi Safety Guardians," a program to protect local safety with companion dogs, from the 19th to April 23.

The "Daengdaengi Safety Guardians" is a community patrol program where residents discover and report safety hazards in their neighborhoods while walking their companion dogs. Each team, consisting of a dog and its owner, is responsible for identifying and reporting safety risks in their area.

The pilot program held last year in Yeondong, Jeju City, saw the participation of 33 teams and received a highly positive response. 96% of participants replied that they became more aware of crime prevention and safety during their walks. Over the six months from July to December last year, a total of 1,222 patrol activities and 53 safety reports were recorded.

Main reports included ▲damaged or malfunctioning facilities such as roads, streetlights, and traffic lights ▲inconveniences such as illegal dumping of garbage ▲other environmental hazards such as pollution near river storm drains ▲illegal parking in front of fire hydrants and emergency bells ▲reports of intoxicated persons and lost items.

Based on these achievements, the program will be expanded this year to all of Jeju Island, selecting 200 teams. Those wishing to participate can apply through the Companion Dog Patrol Team website.

The selection process consists of a first-round document screening that evaluates motivation and completion of preliminary education, and a second-round practical assessment that evaluates the dog's behavior. In the second practical assessment, the dog's ability to walk with the owner, follow commands (such as sit and wait), and respond to external stimuli (such as people and large dogs) will be evaluated. The practical assessments will be held on April 26 at Munbu Park in Seogwipo City and on April 27 at the Citizens' Welfare Town Square in Jeju City.

Teams that complete five patrol activities before the launch ceremony in May and are finally selected as safety guardians will receive capacity-building education on companion animal culture and safety prevention, as well as necessary supplies such as vests for their activities.

The final selected teams will walk with their dogs at their preferred times, record their activities through an app, and participate in joint patrols with the police and voluntary crime prevention teams, as well as safety culture campaigns. Activity records, such as the number of patrols, safety reports, and participation in joint patrols, will be evaluated, and outstanding safety guardians will be given additional activity supplies and other incentives.

Cho Sangbeom, Director of Safety and Health for Jeju Province, said, "Walking with companion dogs provides a great opportunity for local residents to voluntarily take an interest in safety by identifying hazards, and it will contribute to making Jeju even safer." He urged residents to actively participate and show interest in the program.