Crusade against criminals begins

Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲) reaffirmed his commitment yesterday to contain the domestic crime rate over the next three months, starting today.

Yu called a news conference along with National Police Administration Administrator (NPA) Wang Chin-Wang (王進旺) and Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) Director Cheng Ching-sung (鄭清松) to underscore his determination to realize the goal of zero growth in the crime rate from March 1 through May 31.

"During this period last year, 132,636 criminal cases were reported. I would not like to see any increase in this number for the coming three months," Yu said, adding that he would honor his promise to resign if the "zero growth" goal is not realized.

To reach this goal, Yu said, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) will adopt several effective measures to fight crime. Those measures include forming a rapid anti-crime force, increasing police patrols, conducting extensive inspections of security measures at financial institutions around the island, and cracking down on major criminal hideouts.

Yu said he has asked the CIB to furnish him with detailed reports on new major criminal cases, the success rate in busting criminal activities and other relevant developments every day before 8:30am.

Yu said he will visit police stations that have achieved laudable crime-solving records to boost the staff morale, while demanding Wang and Cheng step up supervision of police branches that have lagged behind in fighting crime.

To upgrade operational efficiency, Yu said, police stations will cooperate with relevant agencies, state-owned enterprises and private convenience stores in their jurisdictions to step up community patrols and protection of women and school children.

Moreover, Yu said, police will intensify probes into several major criminal cases.