Forty citizens commended
for helping police fight crime
Forty citizens who had helped Police fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony on June 17.
The award, presented twice a year, is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch with full sponsorship from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC). More than 3 700 ardent citizens have been commended under the award scheme over the years.
With the help of the awardees - 37 men and three women - more than 40 people had been arrested for a variety of offences, including telephone deception, theft, burglary, robbery, criminal damage, illegal immigration and indecent assault. Each awardee received a certificate and a cheque for $2 000.
One of the awardees, Mr Leung Ho-sing, helped Police arrest a male swindler involved in a telephone deception case.
Mr Leung received a telephone call from a man who claimed to be his son and to have incurred a debt of $200 000. Mr Leung then asked his wife to contact their son and found out that the call was a scam.
Mr Leung pretended negotiating with the swindler and agreeing to put money on a flowerbed in Sham Shui Po while making a report to the police. The man was arrested by the police when he went to pick up the money.
The swindler was later sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment for obtaining property by deception.
In another case, Mr Lo Chau-chi assisted Police in arresting a thief. Mr Lo was on a bus when he saw a male passenger steal a wallet and a mobile phone from a female passenger who fell asleep with a bag on her lap. Mr Lo then informed the bus driver and reported the case to Police. The man was convicted of theft and ordered to carry out community services for 160 hours.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Operations Hung Hak-wai praised the awardees for their courage and sense of justice. He pointed out that public support for Police was crucial for maintaining a stable and harmonious society. "The award scheme not only enhances police-community partnership, but also boosts public understanding and confidence in police. It is a good example of engaging the community," Mr Hung added.
The CEO of HKGCC, Mr Alex Fong, and a member of the Fight Crime Committee, Ir Kwan Chi-ping, also officiated at the ceremony.
Mr Fong said the award scheme had been running for 39 years and was worthy of praise and recognition. It reflected the perseverance of Hong Kong people in times of prosperity and crisis alike.
"This year is the 150th Anniversary of HKGCC and it will continue supporting this meaningful scheme," he noted.
Fight crime
campaign begins
Before the award presentation began, a new TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API), entitled "Beware of Telephone Deception", was premiered to launch the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2011-12.
The TV API in Cantonese and English as well as a corresponding radio API in Cantonese, Putonghua and English started broadcasting on local TV and radio stations on the evening of June 17, calling on the public to stay alert to fraudsters.
The Fight Crime Publicity Campaign is planned and implemented by the Fight Crime Committee Publicity Sub-Committee, which comprises representatives from the Security Bureau, Police, Home Affairs Department, Information Services Department, Social Welfare Department and District Fight Crime Committees.
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 Mr Fong presents a
certificate to Mr Lo Chau-chi for assisting in arresting a thief on a
bus |
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