Safer Crossing « SJ Echo

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Safer Crossing

More measures to be implemented to make pedestrian bridges in Subang Jaya safer

OWNERS of advertising signboards on pedestrian bridges will be instructed to relocate their signboards to the rooftops of bridges, a measure the Subang Jaya Municipal Council is taking to make pedestrian bridges safer.
MPSJ president Dato’ Adnan Md Ikshan said the council will write to all the owners of pedestrian bridges across major highways such as Kesas Highway and the New Pantai Expressway to have their signboards which presently sit parallel to the railings relocated to the rooftop.
“The pedestrian bridges were built by the highway concessionaires and are owned by them. Because of public safety, we want to cooperate with us to relocate the signboards and also install proper lighting along the bridges.”
“MPSJ will look into having CCTVs installed on the pedestrian bridges after we discuss this with the police,” he said, when asked to comment on immediate measures to be taken following the tragic death of kindergarten teacher Leong Lai Yoong at the hands of a snatch thief along an overhead bridge in Sungei Way last week.
Selangor Police Chief, Deputy Commissioner, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the police will recommend increasing CCTVs in crime prone areas in the State including on pedestrian bridges.
“Lighting along pedestrian bridges needs to be looked at. Signboards which block the walkway of the bridge need to be removed.”
“We will monitor pedestrian bridges closely to deter any incidences,” he said.
ADUN Subang Jaya Hannah Yeoh who received a briefing on the incident from Bandar Sunway officer in charge of station Inspector Muniandy Rethiah said MPSJ should look at installing CCTVs and enhancing the lighting at bridges.
“MPSJ must relook its policy on advertising billboards on bridges and also get the highway concessionaires to comply with its decision,” she said.
Hannah said more police presence and successful prosecution of snatch theft cases need to be highlighted.
“Snatch theft cases must not be treated as petty crime,” she added.
Comments from councilors:
Dr Loi Kheng Min, Zone 1 Councilor:
I think safety measures at pedestrian bridges needs to be improved. The CCTVs and panic button may help to overcome certain constraints since snatch theft can happen anywhere. I hope that any future projects concerning the building of pedestrian bridges will have CCTVs or panic buttons installed. However, it has to be free of vandalism. Also, some bridges have poor lighting, so proper lightings need to be installed. The public should also have safety awareness, and training of how one should react when they come face-to-face with a snatch thief.
Edward Ling, Zone 2 Councilor:
We need a dual commitment for targeted enforcement and prevention from the leading policy-makers – the Chief of Police and the local council. This includes that law enforcement resources must be deployed for more persistence patrolling to align with our crime prevention objectives. There is also a need to reassess the placement of signboards/advertisements, investing in more lighting and installing CCTVs that are monitored actively to prevent crimes from taking place.
Rajiv Rishyakaran, Zone 3 Councilor:
It’s time for the police to really get serious in combating crime. Often the criminals think they can get away with committing crime is because the police do not solve the crime as fast or as serious. Also, the policy by MPSJ to only place advertisements above the roof is a good policy, and I hope the council will be diligent to ensure the policy is enforced continually.