Thursday, 2 April 2009

Register your loud party or we'll drop by, says district governor

COPS IN FAVOUR

District police Chief Born Sam Ath said the move would likely decrease the number of violent crimes: "Last year we had 20 violent crimes associated with dance parties, and this year we have had four. So I am confident this measure will help."


The Phnom Penh Post

Written by May Titthara
Thursday, 02 April 2009

Dangkor district's decision is designed to combat violence at dance parties and follows city governor's instruction for a safer city.

THE authorities in Dangkor district in Phnom Penh have announced that prospective party hosts must get permission if they want to play music through loudspeakers. Police will also be posted at approved events to ensure there is no violence.

The move by the district authorities follows a demand by municipal Governor Kep Chuktema that police be more vigilant in protecting the population over Khmer New Year.

District Governor Kroch Phan said the ruling - which will apply to all parties in his district from now on - was necessary because in numerous instances dance parties had led to criminal violence.

"We have taken this action ahead of Khmer New Year because we don't want any serious cases," he said. "From now on when people want to celebrate a wedding party or host a Khmer traditional ceremony or any other party, they must ask permission from the authorities, and we will provide our police to ensure security is maintained."

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ONLY LAST MONTH AT A DANCE PARTY THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
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‘We had to do something'
Soth Sath, the commune chief of Choam Chao, said he was keen on the move because there were a number of factories in his area whose workers were newcomers.

"In the past, we have had crimes such as fighting at dances, and we got so much criticism from people that the area was unsafe that we had to do something," he said. "Only last month at a dance party, three people were killed after a person stepped on someone's foot," he said.

"So now if the host doesn't get permission, we will go in and turn off their speakers and confiscate the equipment," Soth Sath said. "The host of unauthorised events will be responsible before the law for any crimes, and in the event of a crime, we will arrest them to ensure the issue is settled."

District police Chief Born Sam Ath predicted the move would cut crimes and said youths tended to behave when police were present.

Partygoer Bun Sothear, 23, approved of the plan, saying he would feel safer.

"When people have a party, they have to have a loudspeaker - otherwise we don't feel in the party mood," he said. "It's true that some dance parties have problems, but my friends and I feel safer with the police present and don't worry about people fighting."

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