Diligent head of the neighborhood security team

For a peaceful parish

The Thượng Lộc sub-parish, belonging to the Trang Cảnh parish, is located in the Hải Nam block of Nghi Hải ward. The sub-parish comprises 76 households with 386 inhabitants, whose livelihoods depend on fishing, seafood trading, and other service industries. Due to its location near Provincial Road 535, bordering Nghi Hòa ward (Cửa Lò town) and Nghi Xuân commune (Nghi Lộc district), the area experiences vibrant commercial and service activities. However, it was once a problematic area in terms of security and order, with issues such as gambling, illegal lottery, and excessive drinking.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa - Head of the Neighborhood Security Committee of Hai Nam Block, Nghi Hai Ward (Cua Lo Town). Photo: An Quynh

In light of this situation, Tran Ngoc Hoa (born in 1954), the head of the Hai Nam neighborhood security team and also a Catholic,Thuong Loc ParishHe advised the Party committee, the government, and the police force in the area to build a model of a peaceful parish free from social vices.

“As a parishioner and the head of the neighborhood security committee, I understand better than anyone what needs to be done to ensure that not only the parishioners in particular, but also the people in the area in general, feel safe living, working, and producing. Building this model is the wish of all the residents,” Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa shared.

From that aspiration, in May 2018, the model "Thuong Loc Parish: Peaceful, Free from Drug Crimes and Social Evils" was established. With the desire to create a stable living environment, helping people feel secure in their production and economic development, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and the members of the Neighborhood Security Committee actively carried out propaganda work, integrating it into parish ceremonies to convey information to the people. Over the past five years, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa, together with the Party Committee and the local government, organized 10 concentrated propaganda and mobilization campaigns with 300 participants. Through these campaigns, they recovered 5 kg of various types of firecrackers and 15 knives and swords.

Furthermore, whenever a family has a stranger from outside their area, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and the members of the Neighborhood Security Committee investigate and immediately report to the local authorities and police force.

From 2018 to the present, the Neighborhood Security Committee, in coordination with the Parish Council and the Ward Police, has organized drug rehabilitation for two individuals. After the rehabilitation period ended, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and the Parish Council regularly visited the families to encourage them and take deterrent measures to prevent relapse.

Since the model was implemented, drug dens have disappeared, gambling and alcohol abuse have gradually decreased, and security and order in the Hainan area have become more stable.

As long as I have the strength, I will continue to contribute.

As a soldier who fought to defend the homeland in the Quang Tri battlefield, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa was exposed to Agent Orange. After being discharged from the army and returning to his hometown, he married and had two children, but his eldest son was unfortunately affected. Mr. Hoa himself was wounded during the resistance war, resulting in the amputation of two fingers and partial blindness. However, he remained enthusiastic in participating in neighborhood affairs, and in 2004, he was elected by the people as the Head of the Neighborhood Security Committee. To date, he has dedicated nearly 20 years to serving the community.

Currently, he also serves as the Deputy Head of the Catholic Solidarity Committee of Cua Lo town. "My family circumstances are often challenging, but with the encouragement and trust of the people, I have the motivation to continue my work. The time I've spent working in the community has made me feel happy and fulfilled," Mr. Hoa confided.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa discusses the security situation in the area with local residents. Photo: An Quynh

In fulfilling his assigned responsibilities, Mr. Hoa regularly worked with the Neighborhood Security Committee to go to residential areas to encourage people to comply with the Party's policies and guidelines; to disseminate information about the methods and tactics of various types of criminals, helping people raise their awareness, protect their property, and actively participate in combating and preventing crime hidden within the community.

Besides participating in maintaining security and order, Mr. Hoa also dedicates time to understanding the thoughts and aspirations of each household in his area of ​​responsibility, proactively mediating conflicts, and contributing to maintaining good neighborly relations. Therefore, from 2019 to the present, Mr. Hoa, together with the Party committee and the local government, has done a good job of disseminating information and mobilizing residents to contribute funds to build a community cultural center, construct a street lighting system, and complete 100% of the concrete roads in the area.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa also regularly mobilizes and educates a number of young people who show signs of violating the law, such as gambling, setting off firecrackers, and drinking alcohol causing disorder in residential areas. As a result, he has reformed and educated 7 individuals, of whom 4 have shown significant progress. This has contributed to transforming and reducing the complex situation regarding drugs, gambling, social evils, and preventing criminal offenses in the area.

“As a member of the neighborhood security team, I am always aware of my responsibility to contribute to ensuring security and order in the area, along with other departments and organizations. Especially when unexpected incidents occur, our neighborhood security team, along with the police force, sometimes stays awake until 1 or 2 in the morning. The work is hard, but as long as I have the strength, I will continue to contribute,” Mr. Hoa shared.

In 2022, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Director of the Provincial Police for his outstanding achievements in the "All People Protect National Security" movement. Photo: An Quynh

According to Nguyen Trung Kien, Head of Nghi Hai Ward Police: Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa is very close to the people, closely connected with the police force and ward organizations in monitoring the security situation in the area. He is also a devout Catholic and an exemplary citizen in the locality, contributing to the strong spread of the "Living a Good Life and Upholding Moral Values" and "All People Building a Culturally Rich Community" movements.

With his enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa has received numerous Certificates of Commendation from the People's Committee of Nghi Hai Ward and Cua Lo Town for his outstanding achievements in maintaining and ensuring security and order, contributing to building a strong People's Security Committee. He was also awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Provincial Police for his outstanding achievements in the "All People Protect National Security" movement in 2022.