Wed, Dec 03, 2025 page8

• [ LETTERS ]

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  Beware suspicious man

  A man believed to be Taiwanese has allegedly approached local and foreign women in parks across Taipei under false pretenses, using a consistent script and deceptive behavior to obtain photographs and videos of them, particularly their feet. This letter summarizes one interaction with him that matches dozens of online reports since 2021.

  The man appeared to be between 20 and 30 years old, 1.65m to 1.7m tall and weighed about 60kg to 70kg. He had pale skin with light freckles, big eyes and silver metal glasses (square on top with defined corners). His hair hid his forehead, and he wore gray pants, a dark gray T-shirt without logos, a dark gray backpack and a hard slate-gray camera bag. He appeared young, and could have easily passed for a college or graduate student.

  He typically approaches women alone, and introduces himself as a student working on a photography project for school. He reportedly gives the same prepared explanation, saying that he has previously photographed “landscapes, nature, families and portraits,” and that his new project focuses on “hands and feet.”

  He then asks if he can take pictures of the woman’s feet for the supposed school assignment. He speaks limited English.

  When questioned about his identity, he is evasive. If asked where he studies, he says he is “taking classes,” without naming a school. Asked where he lives or works, he replies vaguely that he spends time “between Taipei and Taoyuan.” Woman who said they pressed him more firmly have reported that he is not a student at all, contradicting his entire introduction.

  During the photo sessions, which could last up to 40 minutes, he instructs women to walk with long strides, turn around and walk back the other way, or walk in a circle. He might ask to retake shots, citing poor lighting. He reportedly asks women to place their feet on a bench or seat, remove their shoes, wipe their feet with tissues he provides, and then point, curl or stretch their toes repeatedly.

  Throughout the interaction, he allegedly comments on women’s appearance and skin, repeatedly saying phrases such as: “Your skin is very healthy,” “Your skin is very clear” and “You are very flexible. Were you a dancer?” He often asks for a woman’s foot size and height, even remarking that one woman’s foot size is larger than he expected for her height, suggesting that he has asked many women similar questions.

  Online reports dating to 2021 consistently place him in Taipei’s Daan Forest Park, 228 Peace Memorial Park and Maji Square in Yuanshan Plaza of Taipei Expo Park. He has allegedly approached high-school and university students. Because he engages women in a deliberately deceptive way, the public, local authorities and media should be on alert, and women should decline to interact with him should he approach them.

  Anonymous

  Taipei

  Disaster reform needed

  More than two months after the tragic and preventable Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) barrier lake disaster in Hualien County’s Guangfu Township (光復), Taiwan’s disaster-management system shows little sign of meaningful reform. As the Taipei Times reported in September, the flooding resulted in multiple deaths and severe damage. The event also highlighted how quickly a landslide dam can destabilize under extreme rainfall, especially in mountainous regions such as Hualien.

  For weeks before the collapse, central authorities and academics had monitored the barrier lake and repeatedly warned of a potential breach. Yet many residents said they never received clear evacuation instructions, and some communities remained unaware of the danger until the floodwaters arrived. Technology can predict a crisis, but only timely action can prevent loss of life.

  The deeper problem is Taiwan’s fragmented disaster-response architecture. Responsibilities were distributed across multiple agencies, but no unified command determined when to issue evacuation orders, who should notify residents or how to ensure every household actually received the warning. This gap between “knowing” and “acting” proved fatal.

  As extreme weather events become more frequent, Taiwan must overhaul its disaster-management structure, bolster local response capacity and design evacuation procedures that reach vulnerable communities. Clearer coordination between central and local governments is equally essential to ensure that early warnings turn into timely, concrete action.

  Guangfu’s tragedy should serve as a lasting reminder: Visible danger, when ignored, will inevitably return with devastating force.

  Zheng Cheng-en

  Hsinchu County
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