Anyang Dong-an Police Station conducted focused inspections of rooftops and vulnerable areas in high-rise buildings in the Pyeongchon academy district on August 11, ahead of the new school semester, to prevent youth delinquency and crime.
According to the police, the inspections involved school resource officers (SPOs), parent police, the Anyang Academy Association, the Anyang Youth Leaders Association, and the Youth Hazardous Environment Monitoring Group, who collaborated on safety checks in the area.
This initiative was prompted by recent reports of suspected youth smoking and drinking on rooftops of academy buildings, leading to 112 emergency calls.
Particularly, the police identified rooftops, stairwells, and hallways—areas that may be poorly monitored—as potential 'blind spots' for delinquency, focusing on preventing unauthorized access and use of these spaces by youths.
The police recommended that building owners and managers install automatic rooftop access control systems. These systems would restrict access under normal circumstances to prevent unauthorized entry by outsiders or youths, while allowing automatic opening during emergencies, such as fires, in coordination with fire safety systems. This measure aims to enhance safety and prevent crime and delinquency.
During the inspections, the police checked for the presence of CCTV and warning signs in vulnerable areas within the buildings and provided guidance on enhancing crime prevention facilities, such as emergency bells, to ensure quick assistance in emergencies.
If any crime vulnerability factors, such as malfunctioning lights or damaged facilities, were discovered during the inspections, the police would notify the relevant local government to facilitate environmental improvements.
The joint inspections not only involved police but also parents and academy officials, highlighting community interest in safety within the academy district.
Local citizens using the Pyeongchon academy area expressed the need for inspections that address hidden vulnerabilities around the areas where students spend extended periods.
There is optimism that this approach, which goes beyond merely increasing patrols to improving the environment with building owners and managers through access control facilities, CCTV, and lighting, will enhance preventive effects.
One parent stated, “I worry about whether not only the inside of the academy but also shared spaces and rooftops are being managed safely during the times students are attending classes. It’s reassuring to see police, parents, and local organizations directly inspecting vulnerable areas together.”
Community members have emphasized the importance of a preventive approach that identifies and improves risky spaces rather than merely responding to youth delinquency after it occurs.
Chief Kim Shin-jo stated, “Rooftops of academy buildings can easily be misused as places for youth delinquency or pose safety risks. As the new semester begins, we will continue to work with the community to create a safe and healthy environment where youths can focus on their studies.”
Meanwhile, the police plan to continue collaborating with relevant agencies and the community to prevent crime and delinquency in areas frequented by youths, including the academy district.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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