HCM City police plans to install cameras throughout the city for observation, traffic handling, and urban order and security.

Speaking at a meeting held on Wednesday, Dinh La Thang, the city's newly appointed Party Committee Secretary, said it was vital to do so.

Thang told relevant agencies to co-operate with police to complete the installation in the earliest manner.

He said that police should find new ways to combat crime and encourage residents to work with them to ensure social order and security.

Policies for commending and rewarding residents with good performance in crime prevention will also be created.

Police will also be required to focus on the control of beggars in the city's inner districts and strictly tackle drug addiction, a major cause of crime.

Government agencies should also improve residents' awareness so that they agree to co-operate with local authorities.

Ensuring a safe life for residents and a healthy business environment is an important task, he said.

The quality of life deteriorates when residents have to constantly worry about crime, Thang said.

He told police to be more active in fighting crime in the next three months, and noted that employees not fulfilling their tasks would be punished.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, the newly appointed chairman of HCM City's People's Committee, said the committee would meet more regularly with police and other agencies in all districts to discuss issues related to social order and security.

Le Dong Phong, head of the city's police, reported that last year it discovered 1,625 cases of drug selling, with 3,294 sellers seized.

Also seized were 36.8 kilos of heroin and 87.1 kilos of synthetic drugs, 11.8 kilos of cocaine, 21 guns, 250 bullets, VND9.6 billion (US$426,666), $40,000 and other items.

Criminal proceedings were taken against 1,718 people.

The number of criminal violations fell by 377 compared to 2014, killing 102 people and injuring 712 among 6,004 cases last year.

More than VND106 billion ($4.7 million) was damaged.

Phong pointed out that foreign individuals continue to commit crimes at ATMs and use fake credit cards to expensive goods. They also continue to traffic in drugs and prostitutes.

Transnational fraud and an increase in the transport of weapons via the sea have also occurred.

Last year, six violations were discovered. 

VNS