Mapping crime hotspots in PJ

PETALING JAYA: Crime hotspots here will be mapped as part of efforts to make the city safer.

Yesterday, the Petaling Jaya City Council presented the police with an Australian-based geographic information system (GIS).

The system will be used to map crime hotspots in Petaling Jaya by analysing data from recent police records.

The outcome from the mapping exercise will then be used to identify areas which would need better policing.

This would include placing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, setting up police beat base and increasing patrols.


The use of GIS to map crime hotspots is among the 23 steps listed under the Petaling Jaya Safe City programme which was implemented in 2004.

Selangor Crime Investigation Department deputy chief Assistant Commissioner Khaw Kok Chin said between Jan 1 and Feb 15, last year, about 1,307 cases were recorded on the crime index for Petaling Jaya.

However, there had been a slight reduction during the same period this year which saw only 1,167 cases.

"There's a slight decrease in the crime index but we want to reduce the numbers further and with the mapping system, we are a step closer to achieving this," he said.

Khaw also said that theft, car theft and house break-ins were the three most common crime in residential areas.

Among the areas with a high theft rate are Section 5, Taman Medan, Desa Mentari, SS3 and Sea Park.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said RM43,500 had been allocated in this year's budget.

He also said 22 CCTV cameras had been fixed around the city and 30 more were expected to be installed this year.

Apart from mapping of crime hotspots and the installation of CCTV cameras, the Petaling Jaya Safe City programme also includes cleaning and tidying up concealed and unkempt areas, sharing of information between local authorities and the police and lighting up of potential crime areas.

"A team has also been formed to look into crime-related matters in Petaling Jaya.

"It is led by Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San," added Roslan.