Published on: Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
Kota Kinabalu: City Police Chief, ACP Ku Chin Wah, advised the public to call the police hotline instead of sending a Short Messaging Service (SMS) text to his personal mobile phone in times of emergency.
"The public must call the city police hotline number (088-221191) instead of (calling or) texting to my mobile over a crime or any emergency because I will only check that phone when I am free," he said.
He explained his mobile phone (012-836 2224) is meant only for the public to SMS about crime activities that did not need immediate response, complaints and suggestions on the city police force, among others.
"And I can only check the phone when I am freeÉso it would not be a good idea to report a crime that needs the police's attention right away," he said.
Citing an example, Ku said a 49-year-old local in Luyang sent a SMS to his mobile to alert him about a break-in at his Taman Soon Khiong home on Tuesday.
He pointed out the SMS was received at 10.26pm but he only got around to read it at about 12.30am.
"Fortunately the man found the police hotline and called it. In less than 10 minutes, a Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit arrived at the house, which was temporarily vacated for renovation, and caught the burglar," he said.
The suspect was found in possession of a roll of electrical wire believed removed from the house, he said, adding a neighbour had noticed the intruder and informed the houseowner at about 10pm.
Ku said police are investigating if the suspect was involved in several similar thefts in the city.
