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PUBLIC ORDER
The corruption prevention department is responsible for examining the pro- cedures and practices of government departments and public bodies with a view to securing the revision of methods of work or procedures which may be conducive to corrupt practices. It is also the duty of the Commissioner to advise and assist anyone who requests advice on ways in which he or she may eliminate corrupt practices. In carrying out his functions in the field of corruption prevention, the Commissioner is advised by the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee.
Studies conducted by the corruption prevention department are mainly based on information and reports received from members of the public, the Operations Target Committee, government departments, public bodies and private organisations. During the year 41 such studies were completed and reports forwarded to the people con- cerned for consideration. At the end of 1976 there were 175 areas of activity awaiting study by the department.
The task of educating the public on the evils of corruption and involving them in the fight against corruption lies with the community relations department. Its strength during 1976 rose from 111 to 150, and recruitment exercises were continuing at the end of the year in an effort to bring the department to its full establishment of 249. Broadly speaking, the department's activities fall into two main areas: personal contact with the public, individually or in groups; and public information and education through the mass media.
To further personal liaison, there are four sub-offices-two in Kowloon, one on Hong Kong Island and one in the New Territories. All are in high-population areas. The sub-offices serve as local centres where personal contact can be established and maintained, and where allegations of corrupt acts and corruption opportunities can be lodged. The offices are open 14 hours a day, from 8 am to 10 pm, every day of the year. A further five sub-offices are planned. Liaison officers of the community relations department have made contact with a wide cross-section of society and, during the year, they made 1,672 visits and took part in 3,216 discussions and talks.
The community relations department has a public education unit which works with formal education institutions. There is also a community research unit to monitor changes in public perception of and attitudes towards corruption, and to reflect com- munity response to the commission's work. Public information and education pro- grammes for radio and television are produced by the media programme unit. The television programmes include a drama series of 13 half-hour episodes evolving round ICAC investigations and depicting life and social attitudes in Hong Kong.
A Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations, with members coming from different walks of life, guides the commission's community relations efforts.
Fire and Ambulance Services
In 1976 the Fire Services Department handled an all-time record of 158,477 calls -9,383 fire, 145,520 ambulance and 3,574 special service calls. There were 20,918 more calls than in 1975. Calls to fires and similar calamities increased and 42 people died directly as a result of fire. There were also 587 people injured, of whom 41 were
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