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Public Order
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AMONG the Hong Kong Government's priorities are the fight against crime and the maintenance of public order. This is reflected in the work of the Fight Crime Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, which continued to provide advice and recommendations on areas of public concern and for the maintenance of law and order.
Operationally the Royal Hong Kong Police Force is responsible for crime prevention and for detecting crime.
In anti-narcotics operations the police frequently team up with and liaise closely with the Customs and Excise Department. The latter also maintains links with overseas customs authorities, and plays a major part in combatting smuggling and enforcing the Copyright Ordinance.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption enforces the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and educates the community on the evils of corruption.
The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system and runs correc- tional and rehabilitative programmes. The department also manages closed centres for Vietnamese refugees and boat people.
In the crowded areas of Hong Kong, fire fighting is not an easy task. The Fire Services Department, nevertheless, continued to work efficiently on fire protection, fire fighting and rescue work, and ambulance service.
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Fight Crime Committee
The Fight Crime Committee continued to provide advice on measures to combat crime. Issues considered by the committee and its sub-committees included tougher measures to counter organised crime, a scheme for renunciation of triad membership, rehabilitation and guidance for young offenders and regulation of the security industry.
The committee acted on the recommendations in the discussion document entitled 'Options for Changes in the Law and in the Administration of the Law to Counter the Triad Problem'. This led to the enactment in July of legislation providing a legal framework for a scheme in which people could renounce their triad membership before an independent tribunal, and thereby gain immunity from prosecution for certain triad membership-related offences.
An amendment to the Gambling Ordinance provides for heavier penalties on people running illegal gambling operations. Public consultation on legislative control of nuisances associated with prostitution indicated general support for the proposal and draft legislation was being prepared.
The Fight Crime Committee also endorsed a proposal to set up special inter-departmental task forces to investigate organised crime syndicates. An extensive publicity campaign against triads and shoptheft and emphasising home security was launched. There was also a campaign to publicise the Triad Renunciation Scheme.