XN000022-1997-03-19 — Page 62

(c)

(d)

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A number of precautionary measures have been adopted to ensure that tear gas used during drills would not jeopardize people in the vicinity. Firing sites are located as remote as possible from areas of habitation. Before each drill, the Police would sweep the entire area to ensure that no members of the public would inadvertently enter the site. This is followed by loudhailer warning at regular intervals, and the posting of duties to prevent hikers and others from entering the exercise area.

As for the Castle Peak Firing Range, there are comprehensive safety guidelines on the use of this range. All live firing undertaken by the Police and CSD at this range has been conducted in strict accordance with these rules, with tear gas being used at a location well within the range boundary. This is 5.5 kilometers from Tin Shui Wai area. Given that previous use of this range for the firing of tear gas has not caused any complaints, the possibility of tear gas being blown towards the built- up area was not anticipated. Also, whenever the range is used for practices, a Police or CSD Officer who is a fully certified range safety officer is present at all times to ensure that all the safety rules are observed.

Immediately following the incident on 26.2.1997, the Police has separately commenced a thorough review of all factors involved in the use of this range for tear gas firing practice, as well as all existing safety precautions connected with such training. It will concentrate on the methods by which such training may continue, whilst at the same time ensuring that the safety of the public and the environment is not jeopardized.

A special inter-departmental meeting was also held on 3.3.1997. It recommended a number of preventive and follow-up measures to forestall recurrence of similar incidents in the future, these include:-

(i)

(ii)

the Police and CSD will critically review their procedures for the use of tear gas during training exercises. Close liaison will be maintained with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Royal Observatory (RO) in planning future training sessions involving the use of tear gas;

EPD will provide air sampling bags to Tin Shui Wai Police Station, Housing Department and those schools in Tin Shui Wai which are willing to participate in the sampling exercise. Training sessions on the proper collection of air samples will be arranged for the participants;