KSL City Malaysia IT Fair 17-19 Feb 2012 @ KSL City Ground Floor

Johor is really working very hard in the effort to boost security in the state capital. Earlier we posted about the the addition of surveillance cameras, now the Police has a team of riders. Not the normal motorcycles but scramblers!

THE men in blue are now the heroes in green. The public has dubbed them the “Ninja Crime Fighters.” Dressed in fluorescent green vests and full protective gear, they patrol the streets in green Kawasaki KLX 250cc dirt bikes, their faces hidden behind full-faced helmets.

These officers, who ride in two groups of four, each accompanied by a mobile patrol vehicle unit, make a fearsome sight. Their sudden appearance is likely to alarm those unfamiliar with the spectacle, but their presence has certainly curtailed street crime in the capital city.

Though official statistics are embargoed by the Home Ministry, reliable sources say that the number of snatch crimes in the city has been reduced since the task force was formed in mid-July.

The members, which include one female officer, are the best that the Johor Bharu south district police headquarters has to offer.

They were selected for their exceptional crime-fighting and intelligence-gathering skills, as well as their ability to handle high-powered motorcycles.

Handpicked by Johor Bharu (south) police chief Assistant Commissioner, Zainuddin Yaacob, who is an avid fan of the powerful machines, the task force was formed to curb street crime.

It all started on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 100th day in office. In his speech, Najib announced the six National Key Result Areas (NKRAs), which included the reduction of the street crime index by 20 per cent in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang, by next year.

Johor police chief, Datuk Mokhtar Shariff, responded by declaring that the state police were fully committed to meet the target before 2010.

Among the measures taken was the setting up of a 24-hour NKRA operation centre.

Mokhtar said Johor police had identified crime hotspots in the state: Taman Pelangi, Pelangi Indah, Tampoi, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Nusajaya, Kulaijaya, Muar, Batu Pahat, Seri Alam, and the north and south areas of Johor Bharu.

These hotspots have the highest record of street crimes like snatch thefts and wayside robberies.

Zainuddin then came up with the idea of deploying eight police officers to roam the streets on high-powered motorcycles and a mobile patrol vehicle unit.

The task force does not have an official name, but its dramatic appearance has caught the imagination of the public, who fancifully call its members “ninjas”.

Zainuddin, however, would rather they be known as ordinary police officers carrying out their duties and responsibilities.

He said the officers are front-liners who need to at all times exemplify the police’s motto of “Integrity Is Our Practice”.

He said the task force, who have caught snatch thieves and other criminals on their high-speed dirt bikes, have made a definite impact.

“Being a dirt-bike enthusiast myself, I often take the team members off-road for training. We share and discuss ideas and methods. Joint operations are conducted, when necessary.

“Their presence has also encouraged the public to be more pro-active; they tip us off upon seeing suspicious activities in their neighborhoods,” said Zainuddin.

He said almost 80 per cent of snatch thefts reported in the Johor Bharu south district were committed by thieves on fast motorcycles, who were skilled at maneuvering their way around narrow alleys.

These criminals often outrun the regular policemen on lower-powered motorcycles.

Zainuddin said understanding of their modus operandi had enabled the police to develop methods to foil them.

“Now we are a step ahead of them. We will nab them, wherever they are and whenever they strike. My officers are on the lookout 24 hours a day. Each team member carries a walkie-talkie set and is constantly updated by the officers manning the NKRA operation center,” Zainuddin said.

“With the dirt bikes, we can match them in speed, even if the pursuit takes place off-road. The motorcycles are built for the rough and tough, thus when required, we can also ride on curbs and dividers.”

There are over 50 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in Johor Bharu town, which are linked to the NKRA operation center.

For example, if a crime was committed along Jalan Wong Ah Fook, and the act captured on one of the cameras or a distress call received, the information on the suspects will be sent out to the officers within seconds, said Zainuddin.

Upon receiving the information, the first team, led by the Johor Bharu central police station Chief Inspector Mohd Saufi Mohd Kassim, will set out in immediate pursuit of the suspects.

The second team will spread out to cover the exit points of the road or district where the crime was committed.

While Zainuddin could not reveal the task force’s success rate for now, he did, however, say that it has been “encouraging”.

“The officers are overtaking the criminals in high-speed chases. Their mere presence is giving the thieves the shivers,” he said.

Via NSTOnline. Pictures by Ahmad Zulkarnain Tajuddin

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