Installation of 'Summer Police Stations' at Vacation Spots Amid COVID-19 Surge... Catching Two Rabbits: Crime Prevention and Quarantine Measures

Police Install at 63 Major Nationwide Summer Resorts
Prevent and Crack Down on Sexual Crimes Including Illegal Filming
Also Conduct Campaigns to Promote Compliance with COVID-19 Quarantine Rules

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Despite the continued local transmission of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), major domestic beaches and other summer resorts have opened. The "Summer Police Stations" set up by the police at these resorts have also become busier. In particular, the role of the Summer Police Stations has become even more important, not only for traditional patrol activities and crackdowns on sex crimes but also for COVID-19 prevention efforts.

According to the National Police Agency on the 4th, the police have established and begun operating 63 Summer Police Stations at major summer resorts nationwide, including beaches and amusement parks. The Summer Police Station is a concept of a mobile police station that prevents and cracks down on crimes and disorderly conduct that are likely to occur at summer resorts. This year, they will operate for two months from the 1st of this month until August 31st.

The Summer Police Stations have played a significant role in reducing crimes at summer resorts. Last year, a total of 1,961 personnel were deployed to 65 locations to conduct patrol activities, inspect illegal filming in multi-use facilities, and reinforce security facilities around summer resorts through various preventive measures. Thanks to these efforts, the number of crimes occurring at Summer Police Station operation sites last summer was 166, a 23.1% decrease compared to the previous year.

This year, the police plan to focus on preventing crimes at summer resorts through the Summer Police Stations as well. Due to the spread of COVID-19 and restrictions on overseas travel, the number of people traveling domestically is expected to increase. Before the full-scale operation of the Summer Police Stations, the police deployed the Crime Prevention Diagnosis Team (CPO) to inspect crime vulnerability factors in the surrounding areas and established a cooperative system with related organizations such as local governments, fire departments, and the coast guard.

Along with the full-scale operation of the Summer Police Stations, the police will conduct patrol activities to manage factors causing anxiety among vacationers, including ▲sex crimes such as illegal filming ▲various theft acts like "chigi" (snatching) ▲delinquent behaviors such as underage drinking ▲missing children ▲and water safety. They will also address minor offenses such as creating unease at resorts and illegal dumping of trash. In particular, a dedicated "Sex Crime Task Force" will be established within the Summer Police Stations to respond immediately to reports of sex crimes. They will also check for illegal camera installations in vulnerable areas, manage traffic around resorts, and support rescue activities for water safety accidents.

Especially this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the Summer Police Stations has become even more crucial. Despite government guidelines, there is a possibility that social distancing will not be properly maintained if crowds gather. The police have ensured that Summer Police Station personnel are pre-informed about social distancing guidelines and beach operation response protocols. Additionally, during patrols, they plan to take educational measures according to the policies and requests of the relevant local governments, such as guiding compliance with personal hygiene, maintaining safe distances, and refraining from using shared facilities.

A National Police Agency official stated, "If administrative support requests such as crackdowns come from the relevant local governments, we will actively cooperate," and added, "We will do our best to create a summer resort environment where the public can feel safe and secure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.