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In view of a series of attacks on police officers in koban (police boxes) in Japan in recent years, do you think the role of koban in neighborhoods will change? For example, do you think there will always be a need for koban?

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Given the previous attacks on police officers, I think the role of a Koban or just plain old police visibility in the neighborhood is even more necessary. While cameras will help deter would-be individuals from committing crimes, someone looking at you through a monitor is not as effective as having an actual person securing the area. But of course, you still cannot rule out those bent on committing crimes to which vigilance and cooperation between neighbors would go a long way in preventing bad things from happening in the first place

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Maybe they need to consider putting counters up. And in my area a lot of the police manning koban or older guys who do not carry a gun. I'm guessing they have a weapon in their desk or somewhere on the premises but I have no idea? I've been inside one only once, to ask directions.

And of course simply being more on their guard. We're not suddenly going to close banks or other businesses b/c of the risk of violent crime. Why in the world would the police need to do so?

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Whenever I pass a koban it seems to be empty, making it worse than useless.

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There's nothing wrong with the kobans. Train the cops in them to use their weapons and there won't be a problem

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The concept of "neighbourhood police" was introduced in uS and Canada in the 80's and remains a real asset in terms of police presence, building trust, and addressing local issues.

I think the Koban is a good aspect- better than cops on bicycles or riding the streets in cars.

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In view of a series of attacks on police officers in koban (police boxes) in Japan in recent years, do you think the role of koban in neighborhoods will change?

No. I don't. But maybe examining why these attacks happened might be a good idea. But having Kobans is a good thing and it is something police all over the world can learn from Japan

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Forget about the attacks on Kobans, how about the fact that most of the time most of them have nobody in them, and you could walk in beaten bloody with your pursuers behind you and you'd be toast? They've been outdated for ages. The only time I've seen police in the one in my neighborhood is when they took time from patrol to sleep behind the desk, and that was only two or three times. No, wait! There was one time when police came to the koban after somebody walked there to report a crime, but with phones who needs to do that?

Maybe in VERY rural areas where there are no official stations nearby, and which are almost Always manned.

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do you think there will always be a need for koban?

Nah, almost everyone now has smartphones they can look at if they get lost.

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