The police have begun conducting safety inspections around major entertainment districts and tourist spots in Seoul ahead of Halloween Day.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 29th that it had carried out preemptive crime prevention inspections in 14 densely populated areas, including the Itaewon Tourist Zone, Hongdae Tourist Zone, Myeongdong Street, Seongsu-dong Cafe Street, and Gangnam Station. From the 20th to the 23rd, a total of 457 personnel, including Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) from local police stations and the mobile patrol unit, were mobilized to check for crime and safety hazards, as well as to inspect security facilities.
The police inspected illegal objects placed on walkways, such as standing signboards, and other hazards like potholes to ensure evacuation spaces and safe pedestrian routes in case of crowding. In addition, they checked the operation of security facilities such as CCTV cameras and emergency bells in areas expected to attract large crowds, and notified the relevant local governments of any necessary repairs or improvements for malfunctioning or damaged equipment.
The police plan to designate the period from Halloween Day (October 31) to November 2 as an intensive management period, deploying not only 48 teams (266 officers) from the mobile patrol unit but also 349 members from the voluntary crime prevention corps.
A police official stated, "During the Halloween period, we are prioritizing citizen safety by conducting both preemptive inspections and visible patrols," adding, "Even after the event, we will continue prevention-focused police activities to ensure a safe Seoul."
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