Keeping crimes at bay

A city is never the safest place to live. Granted, it has its plus points; amenities, a nightlife, events, infrastructure and now, even mamaks seem to come with free wi-fi. But all that doesn’t mean city dwellers can’t expect a fair crime rate. And by that, I mean a generally safe environment.

Yet, as with most cities in the world, it’s hard to feel safe when we read about one crime or another taking place on a regular basis. And it becomes pretty rampant during bad economy periods; as what we’re experiencing.

But regardless of the economic climate, civilians ought to be able to walk down a street without checking behind their shoulders every two seconds. And that’s where the police play their part.

And should there be a lack of personnel… to whom do we go to for public safety?

Perhaps this is why the recent accident involving a snatch theft and a potential victim (A woman chased the snatch thief in her car, leading to accidentally hit him and kill him) created such a huge uproar. There are two sides to a story and a good number of the public cheered in unison for the consequent of becoming a snatch thief. ‘Let that be a lesson,’ they seem to say.

I’d have to disagree with the overall condoning of what happened though; and deem it unfortunate that someone had to suffer a tragic outcome despite the events leading to it. There is a reason why civilized society developed law and punishment; and correctional facilities. And as long as we keep to it as best as we can, then crime should be met with its match.

The overall gaiety that karma does indeed seem to work, would, in a worst case scenario, encourage ‘Punisher’ like vigilantes. And while everything is fine and dandy in the movies, things aren’t so in real life.

I fear for the mindset we’d embed in the young generation – for they are watching our moves and silently taking note. Call me an old fashioned educator but I feel the morale we’re pushing for speaks louder that the vindication of a collective repulse felt over rising crime rates.

And perhaps, emotion played too strong a part in this case. As it shouldn’t be.

With that, I can only hope the police force judge for themselves the extent of anxiety felt by citizens to give rise to such an outburst. And take law and enforcement up a notch.

Then perhaps, we’d see crime rates reduced and public security increase.