Community Vigilance Powers Drug Crackdown in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City police are intensifying a 45-day campaign to combat drug crimes and clean up areas, aiming to build a drug-free city by 2030. The operation focuses on grassroots engagement, using technology and community informants to isolate drug offenders. Local residents and property owners are actively participating, with some installing drug test kits and reporting suspicious activity.

The campaign, dubbed "Operation 45 Days," has permeated every alley and lodging house in the city. The strategy involves police embedding themselves in local communities, treating communes and wards as primary battlegrounds. This approach combines technological surveillance with intelligence from residents to create a comprehensive strategy against drug-related crime.

In Binh Chanh commune, a key gateway in the city's southwest with complex border relations, residential management is a top priority. The local police have developed a specific plan to inspect all 397 lodging houses, home to over 1,000 fluctuating residents. A significant success has been the cooperation of lodging house owners, like Ms. Le Thi Thanh Nga, who prioritizes a drug-free environment. "I'd rather leave a room empty and lose rent than accept tenants involved in drugs," Nga stated. She now uses her own funds to purchase drug test kits for potential renters.

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I'd rather leave a room empty and lose rent than accept tenants involved in drugs. Now I follow the police's call, using my own money to equip drug test kits. If a guest shows suspicious signs, I encourage them to test on the spot, and only allow them to sign the contract if it's clear.

Furthermore, the "SOS Security and Order" application is being promoted for installation among all renters. Local resident Le Hoang Huy praised the app's convenience, noting it allows for quick, secure reporting of tips and access to official news. The role of grassroots security forces, including local defense and neighborhood watch groups, is crucial. These forces, deeply familiar with their neighborhoods, work in three shifts to patrol key routes and promptly report any minor disturbances to the regular police.

Despite increased workloads following administrative mergers, officers remain dedicated, patrolling vital routes like Dinh Duc Thien and Nguyen Van Linh. The visible presence of grassroots security personnel alongside uniformed police aims to deter crime and reassure residents. This integrated approach, combining official enforcement with community vigilance, forms a strong shield against the drug trade.

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When I came for identification, I was guided to install the SOS Security and Order app, which is very convenient. I can follow official news and quickly report tips securely. I feel much safer on the street now.