Crime deterrence by ``visualizing'' security cameras at stations Kyoto Prefectural Police (Sankei Shimbun)

A plate installed at Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Oike Station. Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward aims to deter crime by making security cameras "visible"

In order to prevent crimes at stations with a lot of traffic, on the 2nd, Kyoto City and the Kyoto Prefectural Police started an initiative to call for crime prevention by posting signs emphasizing the installation of security cameras inside municipal subway stations. . Installed at 10 stations including Karasuma Oike and International Conference Center. By "visualizing" the existence of the camera, it will lead to crime deterrence. In addition, the Municipal Transportation Bureau is proceeding with a plan to install security cameras in new vehicles to be introduced by FY2025. The plate is 45 cm long and 30 cm wide, making a total of 150 plates. A vivid and eye-catching dark pink background reads, "Security cameras are watching for safety and security." About 30 posters were posted at Karasuma Oike Station on the day, in conspicuous places such as platforms and near the ticket gates. There are more than 1,000 security cameras installed at each subway station. It has been used as an investigative material after an incident has occurred, but the prefectural police planned to use it as a deterrent, which was realized with the cooperation of the city. According to the prefectural police, there were about 280 cases of crimes such as voyeurism and assault at railway stations in the prefecture between January and December last year. In addition, there have been a series of violent incidents at stations and trains across the country, such as the stabbing of a passenger on the Keio Line in Tokyo last November and the stabbing to death at JR Asahikawa Station in Hokkaido last month. In light of this situation, the Municipal Transportation Bureau plans to install security cameras inside the trains of the municipal subway. Although it is not installed in conventional vehicles, it is expected to be installed in 9 trains (1 train, 6 cars) to be introduced by the 7th year of Reiwa. Since each vehicle has four entrances on one side, four cameras will be installed so that both sides can be seen. Koji Yamamoto, 64, head of the bureau, said, "By promoting the 'visualization' of security cameras, we will make the subway a safer place that many people can use with peace of mind." (Fumiya Suzuki)