Sumo wrestler crime prevention team patrols streets of Tokyo

How about cops start patrolling the streets to prevent crimes, regularly visiting homes where wives reported home violence and abuse, manually assisting and directing traffic at knowingly dangerous sections where most accidents happens instead of waiting till blood spilled and civilians overwhelm and hold down the criminal until the police comfortably arrives, or instead of being busy setting up speed traps or ambushing at badly adjusted traffic lights waiting for motorist to make a mistake to ticket them.

Alternatively, this exemplary Sumo self promotion propaganda might teach civilians to take the law in to their own hands for their own safety. Hopefully something positive will happen, either A., or B.

Criminals should have no problem running away from them.

Considering what happened Asa and Konishiki, I don't think this is a good idea.

Considering what happened Asa and Konishiki, I don't think this is a good idea.

This isn't a new idea. It's been done before by more than one stable in years past. It's a good PR move for sumo and just might help make some neighborhoods a bit safer around the holidays.

Makes it really easy to meet your bookie and place a bet too..........

restaurant owners will welcome them :p

Isn't this the job of the police? Cut their Koban TV reception, and maybe, just maybe the keystones will go out on patrol...

Wow! The word "keystone" used four times so far. I've dealt with the J-cops here and they are real gentlemen compared to the cops back home who have their guns half cocked before they even talk to someone suspicious. Whenever people use the term "keystone" I imagine someone bitter about their life in Japan? Have been in the country a bit long and life going no where? What's going on? No country's police force is perfect just like no justice is perfect. But I am impressed with Jcops' persistence and focus once they decide to investigate something. And what's this about Sumo wrestlers being in the Yakuza?

Anyway, this is a good thing! Leading by example. Keeping the streets safe and this can lead to more positive activities for the community.

Not a bad idea. Anything is better than nothing. I feel sorry for all those gullible/naive people being scammed.

We wouldn't need either of those if the cops worldwide were as efficient as you guys/gals want the J-Cops to be.

The keystones here are efficient? Even if they had all the keystones out on patrols, they still wouldn't be doing anything productive....except harassing the law abiding citizens.

Just run away a sumo has 10 seconds of power.

Efficient enough that many countries started adopting the Koban system(Korea, etc had it for years). The Local police force is also highly rated among police forces worldwide.

People aren't informed that there are different types of cops with different duties as in all police-forces,a lso too many people expect Hollyweird style Police forces.

I can tell you you wouldn't want the J-cops to go away and fend for yourself.

I wrote and many other posters wrote that the cops should do the job, yet looking in this issue more closely I don't think their superiors can control the J cops at all, can make them work or take the risk or can order them out to the streets.

Also, it seem to me that more and more of the cops are coward, roughhouse, hell-raiser pranksters who have no courage to go "bosozoku" and only choose the uniform to safely luxuriate their aggressive nature on the weak under the protection of the uniform. They are lazy and running scared when they have to take a risk. I said more and more, of course not all of them.

Why do they call them stables. Sounds so animal husbandry.

The headline is misleading, I thought the Japanese police formed a crime prevention unit just so sumo wrestlers can no longer allow their dogs to poo on private property.

If any of the negative posters here had ever seen a sumo rikishi in full kimono and winter overcoat walking the neighborhood, they would be more appreciative. They have great presence and style, and they give another layer of reinforcement to the social contract of safety and local street life that makes living here colorful. I find them reassuring.

It's a good PR move for sumo and just might help make some neighborhoods a bit safer around the holidays.

Until they try to stop a fight. Don't let them put thier hands on the culprits chest, or else.

make residents aware of street crime and traffic accidents in the area

??? by handing out flyers? Seems like a pod of gargantuan Sumo doods would turn enough heads to cause MORE accidents as they are shambling around "preventing" crime.

Where is the Punisher and or Batman and or Lobo when you need them?

The sumo patrol actually managed to corner a group of armed bank robbers yesterday. However, they escaped by walking briskly in the opposite direction....

I miss-took the title as if a group of sumos were becoming cops :P then I read the article.

This is more than silly, they have a life, and are humans, prone to error or occasional mischief. Setting up a patrol for pro sportsmen is more than silly... it's pathetic!!! Besides what's wrong with getting busted and doing time or being booted from the game in case of crime? Why the extra hassle?!

Kobans being adopted in what countries? I am interested, the idea is sound and when operated as part of a community I can imagine them being beneficial. Can not beat cops on the beat with radios comms to a dispatcher.

Sorry, you mentioned it so I assumed you knew! I will look into it, It was mentioned as regards Afghanistan and I believe The Ivory Coast but I will check.

JapanGl.

Ever heard about "boxing stables", etc the "stable" is a poor translation of the true japanese word/meaning as there is no english equivalent.

I don't think I'll survive after meeting with such patrol, I weight only 58 kg o.O

Never mind how many people misquote details wrong from the above article.

The Munya Times, Exactly!!

This is so they can get into fights, buy drugs, bet on games, and get drunk ...all for the sake of good will! Bribe them and they might even take a dive for you!

It'd be nice if they would patrol the streets and try and prevent crimes committed by the yakuza or bosozoku, but: a) they are probably IN the yakuza or know people who are, or b) what do these people think they can actually do if they see someone committing a crime?

Sure get all the cops out of the Koban and onto the street, at the same time also close them as they became useless now.

Why, if all the cops are on patrol who will answer the phones and respond "quickly" to emergencies like a DV call, Murder, etc.

Local HQ will have to do all that.

Those Sumo guys are doing nothing different than civilian Dog-patrols, Neighbourhood Watch, Guardian Angels, etc are doing.

We wouldn't need either of those if the cops worldwide were as efficient as you guys/gals want the J-Cops to be. Sure I can walk through any town overseas and be assured I will be untouched as the cops will prevent any crime. Put things into perspective.

Gurukun.

Reread and understand before putting words into some-ones mouth and accusing them of saying something they never did.

Quiet a few posters here read what they want and not what is written and thus arguments ensue, as often details in arguments are mistaken, etc.

IT'S ME, No argument or accusations here. You just implied that the Keystone are efficient, but not as efficient as we guys/gals want them to be. I beg to differ that they are even a liiiiittttle bit efficient. Not productive either.

Cool...so, who is going to protect us from the sumo wrestlers?