ENG-1999 — Page 357

PUBLIC ORDER

The use of high-speed vessels for smuggling remained at a low level throughout the year except in June and July when 59 fast-moving targets were recorded, compared with 130 in the whole year. The region took delivery of five new Cougartek high- speed interceptors which can travel at 60 knots. Six new inshore patrol launches will be delivered in 2000. Funding approval has been obtained for the replacement of six Damen Mark I patrol launches, in two phases.

The region continued to assist other government departments and non-government organisations in a wide range of activities, including the protection of the marine. environment, curbing pollution, safety at sea and provision of search and rescue services in HKSAR waters.

Public Relations

The Police Public Relations Branch plays an important role in explaining the work of the force and maintaining good relations with the public with a view to enlisting their support in the fight against crime.

Police Community Relations Officers and Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinators in police districts regularly liaise with local communities to explain police policies and priorities while School Liaison Officers give lectures to students on prevention of youth crime.

The Junior Police Call (JPC) scheme helps instil respect for the law among the younger generation and guide them towards a healthy life. Apart from organising a wide range of activities for young people, the force, in conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), produces a weekly radio programme, Voice of JPC, to provide a forum for spreading anti-crime messages and promoting youth activities. At the end of 1999, its membership exceeded 200 000.

The force and RTHK also jointly produce two weekly television programmes, Police Magazine (a 30-minute Chinese programme) and Police Report (a five-minute English programme) which appeal to the public for information on crime cases and arouse their awareness of crime prevention.

The Good Citizen Award Scheme and the Good Citizen of the Year Award Scheme, introduced in 1973 and 1984 respectively, are jointly administered by the force and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The schemes have so far given recognition to a total of 2 745 civic-minded citizens.

Information collected through police hotlines and Crime Information Forms has led to positive results and arrests. In 1999, 5 731 calls and 302 completed forms were received.

The revamped police Internet home page has attracted 220 915 visitors since July 1998. The bilingual home page provides information on the force, including history and organisation.

In media work, information officers seconded from the Information Services Department (ISD) continued to operate round-the-clock to disseminate information on crime, police action and activities to news organisations, both local and overseas. During the year, they handled 218 045 media enquiries, organised 222 press conferences and briefings, attended 434 scenes of incidents to assist media coverage and issued 4 354 press releases.

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