10
Wednesday, January 30, 1974
Replying to Mr. Cheong-Leen's proposals, the Secretary for Home
Affairs, the Hon. Denis Bray, said there was merit in them and they would
be considered together with any cther proposals to help reduce crime.
Mr. Bray pointed out, however, that something close to Mr. Choong-Leen's
proposed scheme was already being carried out, although on a small scale.
"Many Mutual Aid Committees already employ watchmen in their
buildings. The police have launched a training programme for the watchmen,
who are already playing a significant part in the prevention of crime," he noted.
And for street patrols, he added, we rely on the regular police and
some 7,000 Auxiliarios.
Mr. Bray agreed that street patrols must be trained, uniformed, paid,
armed and have powers of arrest but he noted that those young men who wanted
to take part in this type of patrol joined the Auxiliary Police.
I must say I find it difficult if many would want to join patrols
which were second-class Auxiliaries," said Mr. Bray, pointing to the fact that
they would invariably be less trained, less well turned out, less well paid,
less armed and loss powerful in law.
"If this was the only comparison between the proposed patrols and the
Auxiliaries, the patrols would come off second best."
Mr. Bray assumed that the chief merit of Mr. Cheong-Leen's proposal
might be the "local connection," and arising from this he wondered whether
better use could be made of the Auxiliaries in the areas they live. Ho
felt that this would be worthwhile and the idea would be studied with tho
proposed stroot patrols by the Fight Violent Crime Committee.
Mr. Brey also announced that a further phase of the Fight Violent
Crime Campaign would be introduced this summer.
*
"The fight