KOTA KINABALU: Crime prevention tips and safety reminders greet KK High School's students and teachers as they began their first day of school, today.
The first morning assembly saw over 2,100 students sitting crossed-leg on the floor of a basketball court, listening attentively to a special briefing on safety and crime by the police.
In addressing the students, Sabah Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Fadzillah Mohamed advised them to stay away from negative social activities.
He reminded students to focus on their studies and instill high discipline as a guide for them to stay on the right track.
Ahmad Fadzillah also warned students as well as teachers against drugs, gangsterism, and falling prey to swindle, particularly love scam, via social media.
He then encouraged the school community to become a member of the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP), a smartphone application to encourage the public to channel information, photos, and videos of crime-related incidents to the authority.
Also present at the Back To School programme were Kota Kinabalu deputy police chief Superintendent George And Rakman and KK High School principal Lim Lai Hong.
Speaking to reporters, Ahmad Fadzillah noted that crimes such as drug abuse and gangsterism among students in Sabah was still under control, adding that each school has a police liaison officer.
“It is the duty of a liaison officer to be close and engage with teachers and students in discussing discipline or crime problems faced by the school. This liaison officer will visit the school twice a month.
“With the presence of police liaison officer, it provides a platform for students and teachers to approach and report any wrongdoing so the enforcement authority can assist in taking the necessary action,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lim said the school was committed to building good rapport with the police to help tackle students with disciplinary problems.
“Apart from having the police to do (monthly) inspection, we also invited them to give talks to our students so they continue to receive guidance,” she said.
During the programme, traffic police unit demonstrated road safety measures to the school security guards, students and teachers.
There are 127 teaching and non-teaching staff as well as four security guards attached to KK High School.