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It is a well-known fact that anywhere when a change of government is envisaged, lawless elements seize the chance to grab what they can by any means possible before the crunch comes on their criminal activities.
Thirty years ago, the only crimes committed in Hong Kong (apart from some political skirmishes) were petty thefts by starving people. Later, as a result of con- tinued poor living conditions and lack of educational opportunity, the crime scene increased, and included teenage children robbing in lifts, passageways and on the streets.
More recently crime has taken on a new dimension, with gang slayings, big-scale robberies, shootings, and murder of innocent people in their own homes, What is being done to investigate the cause of this increase in violent crime? My own view would be that corrupt elements have now turned to vice, that triads have grown in size and vio- lence, and that TV, films and even education have drawn more youngsters into crime circles. Whereas the system of education bores the youngster, the rewards of crime attract him. Meanwhile, the ICAC is powerless because it is not independent, but in the hands of the Legal Department, which in turns appears to be in the hands of police. Honest police have reason to fear the triads, while dishonest ones still protect them.
Everyone knows the dangers inherent in city life anywhere in the world, but in Hong Kong this danger is multiplied by the show of wealth side by side with squalor.
In spite of what I have said about crime my present project is to seek the rehabilitation of minor offenders, because many youngsters are drawn into petty crime, and later try to reform when they realise where it is leading them. Frequently it is the small offender who is caught, and once caught and convicted, he is tainted for life unless we can introduce a rehabilitation programme such as that already operating in the United Kingdom for almost 10 years. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance gives the manor offender an opportunity of clearing his record some years after he has served his punishment, if he commits no further offence. We should concentrate on rehabilitation where feasible, and heavy punishment for those who prefer their violent way of life.
I called my talk, Hong Kong NOW
and THEN, because I believe that if we concern ourselves more with improving the quality of life NOW in 1983, there will be nothing to worry about THEN in 1997.
Elsie Elliott, C.B.E.