Yongsan Police Station Prepares for Itaewon Halloween... "Concentrated Police Force"

On the 27th, Yongsan Police Station held a meeting with representatives of the Itaewon Tourism Special Zone Merchants Association to establish order for Halloween.
Photo by Yongsan Police Station

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Yongsan Police Station announced on the 27th that it will implement a comprehensive public safety plan and concentrate police forces to prepare for incidents and accidents occurring during the weekend ahead of Halloween on the 29th and 30th.

This year’s Halloween on the 31st will be the first since the easing of COVID-19 social distancing measures. According to the police, more than 100,000 people gather daily in the Itaewon Tourism Special Zone during the Halloween weekend, and 112 emergency calls to the Itaewon Police Substation have more than doubled. Due to the large crowds in a limited space, crimes such as illegal filming, sexual assault, and theft frequently occur.

Through the comprehensive Halloween public safety plan, Yongsan Police Station analyzed crime-prone and disorder-prone locations. Additionally, during the Halloween weekend, more than 200 police officers will be additionally deployed to Itaewon with support from police riot squads related to 112 emergency response, criminal investigations, women and youth units, and traffic enforcement. Real-time crackdowns and surveillance will also be intensified on drug crimes that occur covertly, especially in entertainment districts such as clubs.

To prepare for the increasing number of 112 emergency calls, the number of night patrol teams at local police stations and substations will be increased by 1.5 times compared to usual. Furthermore, joint night patrols with cooperative organizations will be conducted to prevent and suppress traffic disorderly behaviors such as simulated gunfire and excessive exposure.

A police official stated, "On the afternoon of the previous day at 3 PM, the heads of the 112 emergency, criminal investigation, and women and youth units at Yongsan Police Station held a meeting with representatives of the Itaewon Tourism Special Zone Merchants Association and the Itaewon Station chief." He added, "We will urge midnight efforts to ensure citizen safety and order and strengthen mutual cooperation."

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