By Anne Francis
anne@thesundaily.com

WHILE residents have always been dissuaded from taking the law into their own hands, it is undeniable that this concept has saved the residents of USJ23 in Subang Jaya sleepless nights

The success of the USJ23 neighbourhood watch Programme which has resulted in a drastic decrease of crime in the vicinity has also encouraged other neighbourhoods to adopt similar strategies.

Currently, 12 neighbourhood watch groups have been established in the USJ area. "Previously we have to put up with break-ins every other day. In August last year, we had a triple break-in in a single afternoon," said Yee Foon Kong, chairman of the USJ23 neighbourhood watch Programme.

Although there has not been a single incident at night since they started the watch and installed gates along back lanes, numerous cases continued to occur during the day, forcing the residents to employ 24-hour security guards.

Guard posts have since been set-up at the main entry points to the area.

With 89% of residents participating, residents are now enjoying a crime-free atmosphere.

In addition to these, the residents' request to fence up the whole area was supported by Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, the Subang Jaya state assemblyman.

When asked whether the fencing will be approved by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), Lee said that there is no reason why it should be rejected.
"To me security is more important than all legalities. The fence will not inconvenience anyone, but instead beef up the security in the area. People need to feel safe in their houses," he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Abdul Rashid Mohd Ali from the Batu Tiga Police Station confirmed that the crime rate in the USJ area had decreased since the neighbourhood watch groups came into existence.

He also said two policemen will be assigned to the 23 sectors under his jurisdiction soon.

"The officers will be there round-the-clock. They will also leave their contact numbers with residents so that they can be contacted in an emergency," said Rashid.

Apart from this, he also said that while there were less break-ins, snatch thefts are still on the rise with an average of two cases a day.

In the meantime, Lee has also promised to look into several requests from the residents pertaining to upgrading and road works.

He said that the USJ23 playground will be improved, at a cost of not less than RM50,000.

"MPSJ has a RM9 million budget allocated for beautification projects. Although the budget is to be shared between the three districts of Subang, Puchong and Seri Kembangan, I think it is only right that the bulk of the money be spent in Subang Jaya because 60% of the council's income is contributed by these people," Lee added.

Lee also said that Sime UEP will be instructed to build a U-turn underneath the RM8.5 million ramp leading up to Putra Heights, which is currently under construction.

He also warned that if the developer should refuse, Phase 4 of Sime's Putra Heights project will not be approved.

Lee contributed RM3,000 to the USJ23 Neighbourhood Watch for the purchase of a fax machine and a night watchman's clock.