Security measures have been stepped up to ensure public safety during Christmas Eve and Christmas today, following the deadly rampage in Taipei last week, police said today.
The attack that unfolded at Taipei Main Station and near Zhongshan MRT Station on Friday last week killed three and injured at least 11.
The attacker, Chang Wen (張文), 27, who threw smoke grenades and indiscriminately stabbed multiple persons during the attack, later jumped to his death from a building while being pursued by police.
Provided by the Xinyi Precinct of the Taipei City Police Department
In light of the attack and the large crowds expected on Christmas Eve last night, police have comprehensively reinforced security operations since the incident to prevent emergencies and maintain public order during the holiday period, the Taipei City Police Department's Xinyi Precinct said in a press release.
Additional armed police officers were deployed to conduct guard and patrol duties in crowded areas, including the Xinyi shopping district (信義商圈), Xiangti Avenue Plaza (香堤大道), MRT stations, Taipei Dome and the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (松山文創園區), to demonstrate the police’s determination to safeguard public security, the precinct said.
To ensure thorough security for Christmas Eve, Xinyi Precinct Chief Lee Hsien-tsang (李憲蒼) convened a traffic and public safety meeting on Monday afternoon with representatives from department stores, nightclubs and other businesses in the district, with a total of 85 participants, it said.
They also applied for eight additional volunteer traffic officers for yesterday and today to assist with traffic control and reduce the burden on police, it said.
Real-time safety reporting and cross-agency coordination mechanisms were also established in advance, it added.
In addition to existing deployment plans, uniformed and plainclothes officers have been assigned daily from 6am until the close of MRT stations and department stores to conduct fixed-point surveillance, small-area foot patrols and vehicle patrols to enhance public and business safety, the precinct said.
Additional officers were assigned from 4pm yesterday to direct traffic at key intersections, with three control points set up for flexible management of vehicle access to Songlian and Songshou roads depending on traffic flow, it said.
Security has been upgraded with expanded stop-and-search operations planned from 10pm to 2am, with police presence stepped up around nightclubs in lanes 16 and 20 of Songshou Road from midnight to 6am, it said.
The police also advised the public to remain vigilant when visiting crowded places last night and during the New Year holiday period.
Citizens should stay alert to their surroundings and personal safety, avoid pushing or confrontations and refrain from carrying dangerous items into public venues, they said.
Anyone who notices suspicious people or activities should immediately report them to on-duty officers or call 110, police said, adding that they would continue to implement preventive measures and proactive law enforcement operations.
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