As you travel on Sothearos or Norodom Boulevard, you might spot brand new blue and white “houses”. Phnom Penh’s residents are wondering quite what these huts, which bear the legend of the traffic police, are for.

Phnom Penh city hall spokesman Met Measpheakdey told Post Property that the police boxes were sponsored and provided by private company ISI Steel at more than 10 locations in Phnom Penh.

He said the huts are a social contribution by the company to provide shelter for the traffic police who help to maintain social security. Most of the police boxes are located in traffic hot spots to help shelter traffic police from the sun and rain.

A representative of ISI Steel in Cambodia said, “The company cooperated with the National Police Commission to provide traffic counters this year to traffic police officers in Phnom Penh.”

He said that each box costs more than $1,000. The company has yet to promise to make more.

Nov Chanthol, a Phnom Penh resident, said he had seen one of the new police boxes last week but did not know exactly what they were for.

However, he added, “I hope that more shelters for traffic police can further improve urban safety.”