Police officers and volunteer police are the most important reason citizens feel at ease during the Lunar New Year (also known as Spring Festival), Premier Chang San-cheng stated today.
The premier made these remarks while presiding over the announcement of the implementation of Lunar New Year safety measures by the Sanmin Police Station and Luzhou Precinct of the New Taipei City Police Department.
The premier emphasized the necessity of enhanced safety measures during the Lunar New Year period. If police did not increase their patrols and surveillance, families would not feel at ease about traveling abroad and leaving their houses unoccupied during the holiday, he pointed out.
In response to queries by media about extending the Spring Festival safety measures, Chang said law enforcement can never take a holiday, as crime must be prevented every minute and every second of the day. This is particularly true during the Lunar New Year holiday, when law and order as well as traffic can easily be jeopardized; therefore, a more stringent attitude is needed then to carry out these tasks.
The premier reminded the public that when they gather for family reunion dinners this holiday, they should not forget the many disadvantaged and homeless people outside in the cold weather sleeping at stations or underground passes. He pointed out that the New Taipei City Government has implemented an innovative "lucky bag" plan that provides relief materials at police stations for disadvantaged and homeless people. Such a creative initiative will certainly help them feel warmth and care during the festive season, Chang remarked.
The New Taipei City Government stated that this year's spring festival safety measures will last for 15 days. They formally started at 10 p.m. today (Feb. 1) and will end at midnight Feb. 15.