Ahead of Chuseok, Gwangjin District moves to eliminate 'crime blind spots' with simultaneous joint patrols at 10 locations

[Financial News] Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, police, local governments and community partner organizations conducted focused inspections of crime-vulnerable areas in Seoul's Gwangjin District, including neighborhoods with large concentrations of one-person female households and small businesses.
Seoul Gwangjin Police Station said on the 21st that it had conducted joint patrols and on-site inspections across Gwangjin District ahead of the Chuseok holiday together with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Gwangjin District Office and community partner organizations.
The inspections were held as part of Seoul Safety 31 Re-Design Day, an event organized under the comprehensive public safety measures for the Chuseok holiday. Police, local government officials and community organizations examined crime-vulnerable areas across Gwangjin District and reviewed security measures for the holiday.
A total of 187 people took part, including 67 police officers, including the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's deputy chief for public safety and the chief of Seoul Gwangjin Police Station; 10 local government officials; and 110 representatives from partner organizations such as the voluntary crime prevention group, the Community Safety Council and the Youth Development Association.
Participants split into teams and conducted joint patrols at 10 locations across Gwangjin District, including Hwayang-dong and Kondae Taste Street, where many one-person female households are concentrated. The goal was to prevent crimes and safety incidents that could occur in areas densely populated by one-person households and small businesses during the Chuseok holiday.
Before the patrols, police held a meeting with relevant agencies to share crime-prevention measures for the Chuseok holiday. They reviewed the progress of existing crime-prevention projects, including the Kondae Taste Street environmental improvement project, and exchanged views on locations requiring additional improvements.
During the joint patrols, participants checked the condition of security facilities, including closed-circuit (CCTV) cameras and emergency bells, and examined crime-vulnerability factors such as blind spots in alleyways. They also heard from residents and small-business owners about places where they usually feel unsafe and locations requiring additional safety measures.
Police visited small-business establishments and distributed Small Business Safety Bells, which allow owners to quickly request police assistance in an emergency. They also explained how to use the bells and provided guidance on preventing crime during the Chuseok holiday.
Seoul Gwangjin Police Station plans to pursue additional environmental improvements for crime prevention based on feedback from residents and small-business owners gathered during the inspections. It will strengthen security facilities and increase patrols in vulnerable areas.
Oh Seong-hoon, chief of Seoul Gwangjin Police Station, said, "We will strengthen preventive activities in crime-vulnerable areas so that residents can spend the Chuseok holiday safely and without concern." He added, "We will personally inspect the sites where residents actually feel unsafe and actively reflect their voices as we work to make Gwangjin District a safer place."
[email protected] Lee Dong-hyuk Reporter