Paju City announced on the 27th that ‘Everyone’s Patrol’, which works to ensure the safety of single-person households, was selected as an excellent public service design project by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and received the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award.
The ‘Public Service Design Project’ promoted by the Ministry of Public Governance and Security is to enable citizens to directly participate in policies to design and improve public services in order to reflect the diverse administrative needs of citizens. The first stage is screening of documents by experts, and the second stage is online to the public and face-to-face with experts. After screening, a total of 23 excellent projects were selected from across the country.
Paju City formed a citizen policy design group comprised of 9 citizens from Geumchon 1-dong, which has a high proportion of single-person households, service designers, city officials, and a crime prevention officer (CPO) from the Paju Police Station, and provided training 9 times from July to October. Through a process of exploring the region, interviewing single-person household residents, and deriving key issues, the public service design project ‘Everyone’s Patrol’ was discovered.
‘Everyone’s patrol’ is a policy model that strengthens the safety net of the community by carrying out patrol activities led by local residents, including pets and the elderly, and increases solidarity among residents. It encourages social activities in single-person households, reducing emotional isolation. It received good evaluations for establishing a social safety net that focuses on solving the problem.
paju Mayor Kim Gyeong-il said, “’Everyone’s Patrol’ is a citizen-centered safety policy that protects each other, both those who live alone and local residents. We will promote various public service innovations so that citizens can live safer and more conveniently.” He said.
Simultaneously occurring, Paju City won the ‘2024 Korea Local Government Administration Award’ in recognition of its outstanding performance in the green energy sector.
The ‘2024 Korea Local Government Administrative Awards’, hosted by Edaily, was held to contribute to the complete establishment of local self-government and regional advancement by selecting and awarding local governments and heads of organizations that have achieved outstanding achievements in regional development, and Paju City is a basic government organization. He won awards in both the (green energy category) and the group leader category.
To actively respond to the climate crisis,Paju City ▲Established the nation’s first local government RE100 support team ▲Enacted the nation’s first RE100 support ordinance ▲Enacted the nation’s first eco-friendly banners and enacted ordinances for recycling discarded banners to achieve lasting development. It has made various efforts to grow into a green energy city and has been leading the carbon neutral policy.
In addition, ▲Supporting heating costs for all households for the first time in the country ▲Issuing the largest local currency in the country ▲Successfully introduced basic income and basic transportation policies through the operation of the nation’s first student-only school shuttle bus, taking the lead in promoting policies to realise a basic society. It received high praise.
Paju Mayor Kim Gyeong-il said,“Basic social policy is a new solution that can overcome people’s economic and social problems and alleviate polarization,” and added,“We will continue to expand the policy to more diverse fields such as energy,finance,housing,and care to create a Paju-type basic society.” “We will make it happen,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim hong-mi / Photo Paju City
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How can technology enhance community engagement in public service design projects?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Expert in Public Service Design
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emily Tran, an expert in public service design and community safety initiatives. Dr. Tran, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Tran: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss recent developments in public service design, especially regarding community safety for vulnerable populations.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. the city of Paju recently announced that its program ‘Everyone’s Patrol’ was recognized as an excellent public service design project by the Ministry of the interior and Safety. Can you tell us what makes this initiative stand out?
Dr. Tran: Absolutely! ‘Everyone’s Patrol’ focuses specifically on ensuring the safety of single-person households, a demographic that can often feel isolated and vulnerable. The recognition by the Ministry really highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives that not only enhance safety but also foster a sense of belonging among residents.
Editor: How does ‘Everyone’s Patrol’ operate on a practical level to support these households?
Dr. tran: The initiative employs a collaborative approach where community volunteers engage in regular check-ins. These volunteers keep an eye on the well-being of single-person households, ensuring that residents have someone to connect with and rely on. It’s a model that leverages community support rather than solely depending on government resources, which historically can be slow to respond in emergencies.
Editor: That sounds like an inspiring model. Why do you think public service design projects like this one are critical, especially in today’s context?
dr. Tran: Projects like ‘Everyone’s Patrol’ are essential as they address the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups,particularly as urbanization continues to rise. In many cases, city dwellers can feel isolated despite being part of a bustling urban environment. Effective design can bridge those gaps by integrating social support systems directly into the fabric of community life, ultimately leading to a higher quality of life and resilience among residents.
Editor: It’s fascinating how community engagement plays such a central role in its success.What can other cities learn from Paju’s ‘Everyone’s Patrol’?
Dr. Tran: Other cities can take inspiration from Paju’s emphasis on inclusive participation. They should assess their own community needs and engage residents in creating localized, tailored solutions. Additionally, when public service projects receive recognition, it encourages further investment and development in similar initiatives, which is a vital part of scaling successful models across different contexts.
Editor: That’s a great point! Looking ahead, what future trends do you anticipate in public service design, especially concerning safety and community engagement?
Dr.Tran: I’m hopeful that we will see an increased integration of technology into public service design, such as the use of apps for communication between volunteers and households. Moreover, I anticipate a greater focus on mental health and well-being as essential components of community safety. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health,and future initiatives will likely encompass both physical safety and emotional support.
Editor: dr. Tran, your insights into public service design and community safety are invaluable. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today,and we look forward to seeing how these initiatives evolve.
Dr. Tran: Thank you for having me! I’m excited about the future of public service design and the positive impact it can have on communities.