Nowon-gu Establishes Comprehensive Measures for Everyday Life Safety City

Expansion of Safety Infrastructure and Crime Prevention Environment through Implementation of Four Major Safety Measures in Nowon-gu
Prevention of Abnormal Motivation (Indiscriminate) Crimes through Continuous Mental Health Management Enhancement
Establishment of Preventive Safety Network through Public-Private-Police Collaboration and Citizen Participation

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it has established a comprehensive plan called 'Everyday Life Safety City Nowon' aimed at creating a safe living environment for its residents.

This plan is an extensive comprehensive strategy covering all aspects of residents' daily lives, including the ‘Nowon-gu 4 Major Safety Measures’ established last August, focusing on preventing crimes with unusual motives and reducing security gaps in everyday life.

The comprehensive plan includes strengthening safety in newly emerging high-crime areas such as ▲trail and walking path safety, ▲enhanced management of individuals with mental illnesses, ▲creating a secure environment for crime-vulnerable groups, ▲strengthening public-private-police cooperation systems, and ▲pre-establishing crime safety nets through citizen participation.

First, to strengthen safety on trails and walking paths, security personnel will be expanded. The existing ‘Trail and Hiking Path Watch Group’ consisting of 38 members will be increased to 50 members to engage in security activities for the safety of hikers in addition to facility inspections and wildfire prevention.

To ensure continuous patrol and supervision of trails, walking paths, and neighborhood parks, the ‘Nowon Safety Patrol Team’ will also be deployed. The district plans to enhance on-site responsiveness by assigning 22 patrol members who have completed security training and are aged between 20 and 60.

Additionally, autonomous crime prevention squads linked with the police will conduct patrols at least three times a week on average and carry out campaigns to prevent crimes with unusual motives.

The most notable aspect of this comprehensive plan is the management of individuals with mental illnesses for the prevention of crimes with unusual motives, which was the starting point for establishing the safety measures. Individuals with mental illnesses are identified and classified by the local community centers according to severity for management.

Low-risk groups are prevented from worsening into high-risk groups through emotional support services provided by the community centers. High-risk groups, such as those with severe mental illnesses, are connected to mental health welfare centers, registered as case management subjects, and receive counseling and medication monitoring by specialized personnel.

Furthermore, to respond swiftly to various crisis situations such as violence by individuals with mental illnesses, a community crisis response system involving police stations and mental health medical institutions will be established.

Next, to create a secure environment for crime-vulnerable groups, CCTV will be expanded and crime prevention design will be strengthened. New and supplementary installations include 48 security cameras and 70 fixed auxiliary cameras, and 124 outdated devices will be replaced. In crowded areas around Nowon Station, 16 intelligent CCTVs capable of real-time monitoring and video analysis will be installed for immediate response.

To strengthen crime prevention design, joint investigations will be conducted with Crime Prevention Officers (CPO). Crime-vulnerable areas among residential neighborhoods will be selected, and customized environmental improvements will be made by reinforcing various lighting and installing solar markers that distinguish lanes and sidewalks even at night.

Additionally, the district will focus on community-based safety management by lending self-defense items such as sprays, alarms, and telescopic batons to women and other safety-vulnerable groups, and promoting safety education on everyday self-defense techniques.

On the 25th, the district plans to hold the ‘Nowon-gu Public Safety Council’ composed of 18 members including the district mayor, Nowon Police Chief, Nowon Fire Chief, and school officials to discuss activities for crime prevention and various support measures.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “Violent crimes are becoming increasingly bold and sophisticated, occurring indiscriminately regardless of target or location. We will do our utmost to ensure everyday safety so that residents can live with peace of mind.”

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