Although
Malaysia is considered as a safe country to travel and to live in most regards,
street crime is a major concern these days with figures of street crime
rising steadily in recent years, especially in major cities Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
Stealth
methods of Street crime are a norm in large cities: pocket picking, bag
slashing, and bag snatching. But recently there have been more reports of
muggings and violent robberies.
However,
by being aware of personal safety and the practice of good safety precautions,
you can avoid putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation that may lead to
these incidents. It is all about being aware of a potential problem before it
happens and that is where my tips on how to prevent street crime from happening
come in.
In
every street crime incident there are always three aspects – a victim, an
offender and an opportunity for a criminal. The criminal is always on a look
out for easy target, if you are showing precaution to put off his intentions,
he will move on to someone else.Thus best way of breaking the “triangle of
street crime” is to remove the opportunity and this can be done in a number of
ways.
#1Be
aware of the environment you are in at all times, stay clear of unfamiliar
places and dark alleys, even when you are in a small sized group of 2-3. If you
feel insecure of the environment, the best thing is to get out of it at the
earliest opportunity. Potential street crime problem: Mugging, bag snatching.
#2Walk
against the traffic flow! Same as #1; be aware of your surroundings, keep an
eye on traffic and the people, especially in tourist areas. Ladies try to walk
inside the path beside a man, even if it is a stranger. Potential street crime
problem: Bag snatching.
#3Travel
light and keep personal items out of sight, especially when having a meal, do
not leave your valuables (cell phone, purse, bag, pouch etc) on the dining
table or empty chair even if you think you got your attention on it. Criminals
are very good in create a diversion and you soon find your things missing.
Potential street crime problem: Pocket picking, stealing, and bag snatching.
#4In
any crowded place such as a bus, train, market, entrance to a busy place – anywhere where
people are packed close together, guard your bag, wallet, camera, jewelry,
wrist watch, and anything else of value. Put your hands crossed on your chest
with your bag in-between them. Potential street crime problem: Pocket picking,
bag slashing, and bag snatching.
#5Keep
your backpacks in front of you where you can see it when in crowded area;
Bag-slashers will get behind or beside you in a crowded place, slash your bag
or pocket with a razor blade and collect your valuables. You don’t see or feel
a thing. Potential street crime problem: Pocket picking, bag slashing, and bag
snatching.
These
apply to different situation that you probably might find yourself in:
#6When
in bars / clubs, never get too drunk; you might wake
up without your wallet. As for ladies, do not leave your drinks out of sight.
Potential crime problems: Mugging and rape.
#7If
you are driving, always lock the doors, and never leave
your personal belongings unattended when you get off the car. There have been
cases where a rider on a motorbike will open the car door and take the items
and ride off.
#8If
you plan to visit any mosque, wear some old flip flips (which you should be
able to get it cheaply everywhere), as you will be required to remove your
shoes before entry, and there have been cases of missing shoes.
Remember,
that the prevention of street crime is the best cure for it from happening.
With an increase in individual awareness, potential opportunities will
decrease, and this will in turn dissuade offenders from trying.
Credit by : http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/tips-on-preventing-street-crime-from-happening-in-kuala-lumpur/
Opinion
According to the
text, street crimes give a lot of effects and have a strong influence in
society. Unemployment is one of the main
causes. Unemployment leads to crime such
as pick pocketing, bag snatching and stealing.
Unemployment people have no jobs, no money while they still live with
their own needs and responsibility for their family. Sometimes, they want to earn money in a short
time and by any means so they do something wrong even crime.
Lack of education
also results in street crime. In poor families,
children can’t study or leave school before graduating because their parents
don’t have enough money to pay their bills.
These children can grow up without full education. They can’t find good jobs or they become
employed. Besides, lack of education
also leads to less understanding. We can
prevent street crimes if the people have good attitude. People without a good attitude do anything
they want. For example, in daily days
although in the mosque, they also stealing
and pick pocketing. Their acts
show their superficial understanding.
They didn’t care what would happen to the people in the mosque or other
place. Sometimes, bag snatching will be
killing the people, so the innocent people will be the victims of their
cruelness. They did what they liked.
The text also showed
to prevent street crimes, the government must be the important part to solve
the problem. The government need to
solve the unemployment problem like the government can expand economic programs
such as developing labour export. This
help unemployed people have chance to change their lives. Reducing
the foreigner
workers very important
because overpopulation is
a burden to
the country. It leads them to do something bad.
The government should
encourage people to beware of street crime by giving the people awareness on
street crimes using the modern technology gadgets examples campaign in
television, radio, giving brochure, incentive to the people who can prevent
street crime. Besides, increase the
presence of the police officer will also prevent it.
The neighbourhood also one of the most important aspects
to prevent street crime. For example, the street
lighting one of the items which
can resolve the problem. If the light do not work , so their duties to make a report to the
city council. Improved street lighting
is widely thought to be an effective means of preventing crime, second in
important only to increased police presence.
The CCTV’s also very important to stop the street crime.
In conclusion, street
crime is a social problem. It can be
more worse and become a burden on society.
It results from a lack of social care.
With the right solution, street crime can be reduced.
