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Hong Kong mulls neighbor-watch hygiene incentive

As Hong Kong tries to boost hygiene standards to avoid future outbreaks of SARS and other diseases, officials said yesterday they might offer cash rewards to people who turn in neighbors who spit, litter and keep pets.

Hong Kong says that beginning in August it will keep track of hygiene violations by millions of people who live in public housing developments, and repeat violators could be evicted from their homes.

A reward system for hygiene informants is being considered, according to Housing Department spokeswoman Esme Lau. Lau said it was unclear how much officials would pay for tipoffs, because the idea is now just in the conceptual stage.

Critics fear such a system could lead to bad blood among neighbors.

"It will have a big and deep impact on the relationship among neighbors," said Law Yuk-kai, director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, a non-governmental organization.

"It could be very dangerous. It's making your neighbors part of the surveillance system," Law said.

Lau played down such concerns, saying any reported violations would be investigated thoroughly before anyone is penalized.

About half of Hong Kong's 6.8 million people live in public housing -- a necessity in this highly congested territory where private apartment rents rank among the world's highest but many people are paid low wages.

SARS has sickened 1,732 people in the China-run territory and killed 273. The disease appears to be coming under control, but the government has embarked on what it calls a major campaign to clean up many of Hong Kong's bad old hygienic habits.

The disease has been spread through personal contact -- such as people sneezing or coughing -- and through environmental factors such as leaking sewage pipes in some cases. Hoping to avoid any future disease outbreaks, Hong Kong is now pledging to clean up in a big way.

"It is high time that the problem of cleanliness be uprooted through self-initiated action of tenants and tougher enforcement," said a statement from Leung Chin-man, permanent secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands.

Beginning in August, officials will institute a points system for violations of hygiene standards and people who end up with too many points could end up evicted, Leung said.

Offenses such as drying clothes in public areas or putting dripping flower pots on balconies would lead to a 3-point penalty. Littering, keeping pets and obstructing corridors would cost 5 points, while spitting and urinating in public or damaging drainage pipes would cost 7 points.

Anyone accumulating 16 points in two years would lose the right to live in public housing.
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