Ensuring the area’s safety with a bark. "Officer Kikujirou," pet dog of the Sanwa Police sub-station, is on daily patrol.

Translated from the original article at: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120614-00000303-rtn-l26

  

Sent out on June 14, 5:34PM by the Ryoutan Daily Shinbun

The whole family, on patrol for the day.

The area is safe, thanks to protective dog like me! Every day in Senzoku, Sanwa-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kikujirou of the Sanwa police sub-station checks the area. Spending another day wrapped in his specially made uniform and a sparkle in his round eyes, he looks no different than usual. Now, he's become popular with everybody.　

Kikujirou is a 6 year old male black pug. He's owned by Police Chief Hitotaka Matsumoto (31) and his wife, Kanako (31). As part of a personnel change in April of last year, Hitotaka transferred in from the city of Kyoto.

　

Kikujiro takes his daily work quite seriously, patrolling the area for crime while enjoying his walk. Generally being attended to by Kanako, he's meeting with an ever growing amount of residents as he travels through various routes.

This time, Hitotaka found himself visiting the front gardens of each house while making the rounds with Kikujirou, who's merging with the area and becoming an ever popular topic of conversation.

　

Besides strolling through and patrolling the area, Kikujirou has one other important responsibility. Leveraging his fame, he's become involved in public information at the Sanwa police sub-station. Under the words "Our motto is to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the town of Sanwa," his name is inscribed with a message that the police hope to spread far.

Coming off the letters of his name are the following points:

（き）Ki - Kikenunten no kinshi "Hazardous driving is forbidden"

（く）Ku - Kurai yomichi ni you chuui "Use caution while travelling the night’s dark roads.”

（じ）Ji - Jishin wo motte kotowaru yuuki "Have self-confidence, but reject (reckless) bravery."

（ろ）Ro - Rokku ha kakujitsu ni "It is reliable (to use) locks."

（う）U - Umai hanashi ha mazu soudan no itsutsu "Skillfully discuss all 5 points from the beginning (with others)"

In December of last year, the couple came up with the idea distribution pamphlets from the police box. Given out by Hitotaka, they contain such things as traffic safety education and illustrations of general knowledge.

Also, recently, the couple gave birth to their first daughter, Ayasora (4 months). She’s usually at home under the watch of her kind older brother. Ayasora recently joined the patrol walks as well, and now the whole family watches over the area's safety together.

Original text:

地域の安全守るんだワン　三和駐在所の愛犬“菊次郎巡査”が毎日パトロール

両丹日日新聞 6月14日(木)17時34分配信

家族そろってパトロールをする日も

地域の安全は、僕が守るワン！　福知山市三和町千束、三和駐在所に住む犬の菊次郎は、毎日近所をパトロールし、今ではみんなの人気者。きょうも特製の制服に身を包み、変わったことはないかと、つぶらな瞳を光らせている。

菊次郎は６歳の黒パグのオスで、巡査部長の松本浩孝さん（３１）、妻の加奈子さん（３１）の愛犬。昨年４月、浩孝さんの異動で京都市から引っ越してきた。

菊次郎が大切にしている日課は、散歩を兼ねた地域の防犯パトロール。基本的には加奈子さんが付き添いを担当し、より多くの住民に出会えるようにと、いろんなコースを歩いている。

 　

そのかいもあり、浩孝さんが巡回連絡で各家庭を訪問すると、菊次郎の話題で盛り上がることが多くなり、地域に溶け込むきっかけになった。

菊次郎には、散歩兼パトロールのほかに、もうひとつ重要な任務がある。それは、知名度を生かした三和駐在所だよりでの広報活動。名前をもじった「三和町の安心・安全のための合言葉」の普及を目指している。

菊次郎の頭文字をとって、「き」－危険運転の禁止▽「く」－暗い夜道に要注意▽「じ」－自信を持って断る勇気▽「ろ」－ロックは確実に▽「う」－うまい話はまず相談の５つ。

昨年１２月に松本さん夫妻が考案し、駐在所だよりで掲載するほか、交通安全教室などでも浩孝さんが使用して、周知を図っている。

 また最近では、松本さん夫妻に長女の彩空ちゃん（４カ月）も誕生し、家庭の中では優しいお兄ちゃん役に。彩空ちゃんも散歩兼パトロールに参加するようになり、家族一緒に地域の安全な暮らしを支えている。