XN000022-1994-06-01 — Page 27

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1994

PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS SAFE

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SECURITY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES UNDER REDEVELOPMENT ARE CONFINED MAINLY TO MINOR BURGLARY CASES AND TRESPASS INTO VACANT PREMISES, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO TACKLE THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDED THE PROPERLY SEALING OR LOCKING UP OF VACANT UNITS AND THE INSTALLING OF GATES TO BUILDING ENTRANCES, STAIRCASES AND CORRIDORS BUT WITHOUT COMPROMISING FIRE SERVICES REQUIREMENTS.

HE SAID WHEN A BLOCK WAS HALF VACANT, SECURITY GUARDS WERE NORMALLY PROVIDED ROUND THE CLOCK AND ADDITIONAL GUARDS WERE EMPLOYED IF NEEDED.

ALSO, VACANT FLATS WERE PATROLLED BY ESTATE STAFF AND THE POLICE, AND ESTATE STAFF STAYED IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH TENANTS AND MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS.

IN ADDITION, MR EASON SAID THE POLICE DID DISTRIBUTE POSTERS AND LEAFLETS IN ESTATES UNDERGOING REDEVELOPMENT TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS' AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.

HE NOTED THAT CRIME RATES IN HOUSING ESTATES WERE GENERALLY LOWER THAN TERRITORY-WIDE RATES AND THE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN HOUSING ESTATES UNDER REDEVELOPMENT WAS GENERALLY NO WORSE THAN THAT IN OTHER ESTATES.

1994

A COMPARISON OF FIGURES FOR REPORTED CRIME OVER THE 1992 TO PERIOD INDICATES A MIXED PATTERN OF IMPROVEMENT, DETERIORATION

AND A POSITION HOLDING RELATIVELY STEADY.

THE MAIN AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT WERE AT LOK FU AND TSZ ON; WHILE TSZ CHING AND TUNG TAU WERE THE MAIN AREAS OF DETERIORATION.

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CLOSE LIAISON TO REVIEW GOLDSMITH SHOP SECURITY

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SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS MEET REGULARLY WITH REPRESENTATIVES GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY SHOPS TO REVIEW PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING SECURITY MEASURES.

THESE RELATE MAINLY TO ACCESS CONTROL, ACCESS TO THE GOODS, SURVEILLANCE DEVICES, SAFE STORAGE OF STOCK, THE MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS AND PROMPT REPORTING TO POLICE IN CASE OF A ROBBERY.

RESPONDING то A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD S T HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID THERE HAD BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF LIAISON BETWEEN POLICE AND THE SHOPS.

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