Community engagement and public awareness on safe city program based on road safety initiatives

Abstract

The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) initiated Safe City Program in August 2004 as a move towards creating a safe communities and environment in urban areas to improve public quality of life. It served as a crime prevention measure in ensuring the crime rate in the city can be reduced and enables the residents to live, comfortably and safely without fear. To implement this program, each municipal council’s department of town and country planning lead the effort by designing a safe environment and reduce the chance to commit crimes. This study aims to evaluate public awareness of safe city program implementation in Johor Bahru district. Community engagement is important to make sure local community fully aware about safe city program and help in making the program successful. To determine the level of awareness, 80 questionnaires were distributed to public community around affected areas. The data were then analysed using spread sheet program and SPSS. Result has shown that public awareness is closely related with physical visibility for each safe city initiatives. The significant of the study is to provide strategy to increase public awareness for the continuation of safe city program in the future.

Safety-centric urban engagement plan

“…When considering the promotion of social participation and fostering a sense of community in city centers, it's essential to gather examples and data that illustrate the impact of such initiatives. Research studies from urban areas that have successfully implemented community engagement programs can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of these strategies (Mazlan et al, 2020). Additionally, data on crime rates before and after the implementation of social participation and community engagement initiatives can demonstrate the tangible impact on the safety and security of city center spaces.…”

“…Gathering data on the participation levels in neighborhood watch programs and the correlation with crime reduction can emphasize the importance of fostering social connections and building strong relationships within the community (Izadifar et al, 2015). Additionally, statistics on the utilization of well-lit and well-maintained public spaces as a result of social participation efforts can underscore the role of these initiatives in creating safer city center environments (Mazlan et al, 2020). Overall, prioritizing social participation for the safety of city center spaces requires a multifaceted approach that involves accurate data, examples of successful initiatives, research studies, and feedback from the community to demonstrate the positive impact and encourage further engagement.…”

“…In some cases, neighborhood watch programs and community gatherings may inadvertently contribute to social exclusion or discrimination, particularly if certain groups within the community feel marginalized or unwelcome in these spaces. Research has shown that community-led initiatives can sometimes exacerbate social tensions and inequalities, as they may not be inclusive of all members of the community (Mazlan et al, 2020). Furthermore, relying solely on social participation for urban safety can place undue responsibility on community members while potentially absolving law enforcement agencies and local authorities of their roles in ensuring public safety.…”

Changing a Community: A Holistic View of the Fundamental Human Needs and Their Public Health Impacts

“…For example, they might install streetlights, organize neighborhood watch groups, or provide first aid training. Public safety is an important consideration when establishing any type of network within a community setting because community engagement is a fundamental constituent of the local crime prevention program that can only function with enhanced public awareness about the existing safety initiatives [ 12 ]. Essentially, a community should have established approaches to communicating during emergencies, dealing with actual and potential threats, and enhancing community members’ safety.…”