Yeongdeungpo District to Strengthen Joint Patrols with Police for Homeless Protection and Street Safety

Street Outreach Teams Operate 24/7
Regular Joint Patrols with Police

Yeongdeungpo District in Seoul (District Mayor Jo Yujin) announced on August 5 that it will strengthen joint patrols with the police to protect homeless people on the streets and ensure the safety of local residents.

Joint patrol of Yeongdeungpo District Office and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Prevention Patrol Unit. Provided by Yeongdeungpo District Office.

The district is operating street outreach teams composed of three groups, with a total of 12 members, focusing on areas with high concentrations of homeless individuals, such as the Yeongdeungpo Station area, Yeongdeungpo Park, and the jjokbangchon (rooming house villages). The teams patrol in three shifts around the clock, providing services such as consultations for the homeless on the streets, connecting them with emergency shelters, guiding them to medical facilities, and supporting the use of cooling centers and protective facilities.

In addition, cooperation with the police will be further strengthened. Yeongdeungpo District, together with one team from the Metropolitan Prevention Patrol Unit 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, will conduct focused joint patrols twice a month in crowded areas within the district. In collaboration with the Yeongdeungpo Station Police Box, regular joint patrols will be conducted once a week around the Yeongdeungpo Station area and jjokbangchon.

This enhanced collaboration has expanded on-site response capabilities. In addition to consultations with homeless individuals and coordination of welfare services, the district and police will now work together to manage violations of public order and carry out crime prevention activities. For homeless individuals who exhibit mental health issues or violent tendencies, the district plans to proactively respond in cooperation with relevant agencies.

Welfare support will also continue. The district operates five cooling centers for homeless people, including the Hope Support Center and Ongdalsaem Drop-in Center, and collaborates with four organizations—Thomas House, Yeonggwang Church, Meals of Love Open Community, and Gwangya Church—to provide free meals. Welfare services such as medical support and assistance with admission to protective facilities will also be continually offered.

District Mayor Jo Yujin commented, "We will continue to build a more robust protection system for the homeless in close cooperation with the police, welfare facilities, and medical institutions. We are committed to strengthening our on-site response to create a safer community where residents can feel secure."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.