Joint Patrols by Public, Private, and Police Sectors... Foreign Residents Also Participate
Nighttime Environment Improved on School Routes... Second Phase Planned
Gwangsan District in Gwangju is expanding its urban, experience-based crime prevention initiatives to strengthen resident safety.
According to Gwangsan District on May 12, the district has established a "Citizen Safety Center" in the Wolgokdong area, where demand for crime prevention was high, and is now fully operating a regional crime prevention system based on cooperation among the public sector, private organizations, and the police.
Safety guards are conducting crime prevention activities while patrolling alleyways during a joint public-private night patrol organized by the Citizen Safety Center in Wolgokdong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju. Provided by Gwangsan District
The Citizen Safety Centers, installed in front of the Wolgok Market parking tower and at two locations in Sanjeong Park, serve as patrol bases for residents. At least once a month, the police, the Residents' Autonomous Committee, and retired police officers conduct joint patrols. In particular, the "Wolgokdong Foreign Residents' Voluntary Crime Prevention Team," formed to reflect the area's high proportion of foreign residents, is also participating in these activities.
Gwangsan District has also established a direct emergency hotline with the police in connection with the operation of the centers, creating a system that enables rapid response in urgent situations.
In the Hanan-dong area, the "Safe Alleyway Project" is underway. Focusing on the school routes of Sanjeong Elementary and Middle Schools, the first section (about 300 meters from Sanjeong Elementary to Jangsujeon) has been completed using Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) techniques. LED landscape lighting, logo projectors, and sculptures have been installed to improve the nighttime walking environment.
Gwangsan District announced plans to begin construction of the second section this year (about 250 meters from Sanjeong Middle School to Sanjeong Elementary School), and stated that the project will incorporate residents' opinions from the design stage through to completion.
Park Byungkyu, the head of Gwangsan District, stated, "We will thoroughly establish a safety infrastructure in daily life that reduces citizens' anxiety and increases their sense of security," adding, "We will continue to expand everyday safety policies that residents can truly feel."
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