Kitakyushu City has revealed plans to launch a 10,000-citizen-strong crime prevention patrol this October. The City says it will be the first designated city in Japan to undertake this kind of large-scale city-wide patrol. The City hopes to raise crime prevention awareness amid a recent rash of knife and gun-related incidents involving suspected gang members. The plan calls for simultaneous patrols in all 131 school districts on one day during a national safety campaign scheduled for Oct. 11~20. There are currently 138 patrol groups in the city, but their membership is graying. City Hall has allocated budget funds to provide the groups with hats and flags and plans to recruit more young people into the patrols. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 5/21
