Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah hosted the Executive Yuan's meeting on public security today and listened to the Ministry of the Interior's (MOI) briefings on several relevant issues.
The number of criminal cases continued to decrease nationwide while the clearance rate (the proportion of cases that are solved) rose from January to September of this year, MOI analysis reveals. Moreover, police sweeps of gangs, investigation of the illegal arms trade and drug raids have all produced results. The vice premier expressed appreciation for the hard work of security officials at every level.
He also complimented the MOI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and national security agencies' accomplishments on border control and international cooperation on counter-terrorism, saying the U.S. included Taiwan in its Visa Waiver Program (VWP) mainly thanks to the results of their hard work. The National Immigration Agency was instructed to continue the establishment of the identification system which is required in airports and harbors after Taiwan is included in the VWP.
The MOI reported that the number of theft cases has dropped 51.5 percent in five years (from 241,000 in 2007 to 116,000 last year), and the number for January to September this year is 14.61 percent lower than the same period last year (13,319 less cases) while the clearance rate for such crimes has reached 71.82 percent. Jiang praised the police and asked them and the MOI to publicize this information to strengthen citizens' confidence in public security.
The National Police Agency (NPA) has formulated different investigative and preventative measures for different types of theft, the vice premier noted. He urged the NPA to continue directing police bureaus in all cities and counties to implement these programs, especially strengthening checks for stolen property. In addition, since the NPA report showed that the clearance rate for bicycle theft is rather low compared with that for automobiles, scooters and other items, Jiang requested the agency to further analyze the situation on a local basis.
Relevant agencies have launched several law enforcement and public awareness measures to curb drunk driving, Vice Premier Jiang said, and the Legislature had amended the law several times to increase the penalties. Nevertheless, the frequency injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving continues to draw much public attention. Hence, the MOI, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and local governments must strengthen preventative measures further, the vice premier stated.
The NPA held a nationwide crackdown on drunk driving from June 1 to August 31 this year, the MOI noted. The agency is also surveying public opinion on the strengthened penalty for drunk driving since there is a social consensus to amend the laws.