XN000022-1985-05-31 — Page 24

FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1985

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BEACH LITTERBUGS, NOISE-MAKERS FACE BLITZ

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LITTERBUGS VISITING URBAN COUNCIL BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND MAY BE IN FOR A SHOCK FROM TOMORROW (JUNE 1) WHEN A DRIVE FOR CLEANER BEACHES AND A BLITZ ON LITTERERS AND NOISE-MAKERS - GETS UNDER WAY.

THIS MONTH'S (MAY'S) EXCEPTIONALLY HOT, DRY WEATHER BROUGHT CROWDS FLOCKING TO THE BEACHES IN NUMBERS MUCH LARGER THAN NORMAL, CATCHING THE UNDER-STRENGTH WORKFORCE OF THE USD BY SURPRISE AND RESULTING IN AN ORGY OF LITTER.

BUT WITH A STRENGTHENED WORKFORCE STARTING DUTY FROM TOMORROW THE USD IS NOT ONLY SET TO CLEAN UP THE BEACHES BUT ALSO TO SEVERELY HIT THE POCKETS OF LITTERBUGS.

THE CHIEF MANAGER (LEISURE SERVICES) FOR HONG KONG, MR R.F. POLLARD, SAID TODAY: +THE FILTH INFLICTED ON OUR BEACHES OVER THE PAST MONTH, DESPITE A WEALTH OF MEDIA PUBLICITY IMPLORING PEOPLE TO BE MORE CONSIDERATE, HAS BEEN A PUBLIC DISGRACE.

+THE HEALTH RISK OF THIS ANTI-SOCIAL ATTITUDE MUST BE OBVIOUS TO ALL AND IN THE ABSENCE OF A RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE BY SOME SELFISH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, RIGID ENFORCEMENT IS NOW INEVITABLE. CONSEQUENTLY, ANTI-LITTER PATROLS WILL BEGIN ON ALL MAIN BEACHES AS FROM THIS WEEKEND, AND OFFENDERS WILL BE PROSECUTED.+

BESIDES LITTERBUGS, OTHER SELFISH BEACHGOERS SPOIL THE ENJOYMENT OF OTHERS BY TURNING UP THE VOLUME OF RADIOS AND OTHER SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT, CAUSING A CONSIDERABLE NUISANCE WHICH THE COUNCIL ALSO INTENDS TO CURB.

+THIS WILL NOT BE POPULAR WITH SOME BEACHGOERS, WHO WILL SEE IT AS A RESTRICTION ON THEIR FREEDOM,+ SAID MR POLLARD.

+HOWEVER, NOBODY HAS THE FREEDOM TO INFLICT EITHER THEIR NOISE OR THE IR RUBBISH ON OTHERS, AND FROM THIS WEEKEND THERE WILL ALSO BE A CRACKDOWN ON EXCESSIVE NOISE SO THAT THE BEACHES CAN BE ENJOYED BY THE LARGE MAJORITY OF RESPONSIBLE BEACHGOERS IN THE MANNER INTENDED.+

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