Penang police have mobilised 41 government departments and agencies for a month-long crime prevention drive that targets identified black spots across the state, with the Inspector-General of Police saying the model will be rolled out nationwide in stages.
The first phase comprises 14 programmes and 38 initiatives across the state’s five police districts, NST said, and all measures are targeted for completion within a month. The districts are Northeast, Southwest, Seberang Prai Utara, Seberang Prai Tengah and Seberang Prai Selatan.
Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim said the initiative, called Whitening The Black Spot, focuses on environmental weaknesses, enforcement needs and community concerns in areas perceived as unsafe or high-risk. “We want to turn these areas around and make them safe, clean, orderly and well-lit so children and the community can use them, while parents feel assured about their safety,” he said at the launch in Butterworth.
The problems targeted include abandoned or dilapidated buildings, poorly maintained recreational areas, inadequate lighting, damaged public facilities, unkempt surroundings and locations associated with drug activity. Areas carrying high crime or traffic accident risks are also covered. Lim said the 38 initiatives were formulated after police held town hall sessions with residents. “We engaged with the public, brought their feedback back for discussion and formulated the strategies accordingly,” he said.
Seven locations were named as pilot sites for the rollout: Bukit Jambul, Sungai Nibong, Kampung Ujong Batu, Permatang Pauh, Sungai Rambai, Pondok Upeh and Bukit Panchor, Astro Awani reported. The programme applies Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, covering lighting, cleanliness, maintenance and the layout of public facilities to close off opportunities for crime.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail launched the initiative at the PICCA Convention Centre on Sunday, The Star confirmed. Penang is the first state to run the programme, and the IGP said it will be introduced elsewhere in stages. “Penang will become an example, and I will try to implement it in other states step by step,” he told reporters.
The drive rests on five approaches: crime prevention, enforcement, environmental safety improvements, community programmes and safety education. It also incorporates the Broken Windows Theory and a Blue Sky Strategy, which adapts existing practices to achieve safety outcomes without duplicating resources or incurring unnecessary costs.
Lim said the initiative cannot succeed through police action alone. “Police cannot act alone. It will be difficult to achieve this if the police act solo. Everyone has to play their part,” he said. The participating agencies will contribute infrastructure improvements, enforcement, public facilities, community programmes and safety initiatives.
Results will be assessed after one month against changes in crime patterns, improvements in the physical environment, community feedback and the effectiveness of interventions. “If the results are positive, we plan to expand the project into Phase Two and Phase Three,” Lim said.
The Unite For Safety theme also carries a logo competition for Form One to Form Six and vocational college students, organised with the state Education Department. Lim said the theme reflects collective responsibility for public safety regardless of race or religion. “We want people to live together and help one another. We must unite for safety,” he said.
