Buffalo Bill
7th September 2008, 09:18 PM
This is a message from a resident in Mui Wo:
Dear All,
I wrote to the new Divisional Commander regarding a variety of Lantau policing issues and received a very through response which DC Dunne said he is happy for me to circulate. I thought you might be interested ( see below)
He is keen to meet local residents & in the light of recent robberies to discuss crime prevention measures ( see end of letter) & has suggested a meeting :
“ I am keen to meet members of the Lantau Community and therefore perhaps we
could arrange an informal meeting covering the topic of Crime Prevention
and other issues which people may wish to raise. Cheung Sha Police Station
has a small function room and garden in the rear, with a BBQ pit.
If you and other residents are available, might I suggest that we meet on
the afternoon of Saturday the 27th of September, from around 1330 hours for
a start at 1400 hours. It will be bilingual, English and Cantonese so
everyone is welcome.
Please let me have your views on the meeting and numbers.”
The function room is quite small but if you would like to attend;
could you email DVC Neil Dunn on dvc-ltsdiv@police.gov.hk DIRECTLY
Please feel free to circulate this anyone you think would be interested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your email, please may I answer your concerns below.
Speeding
In relation to speeding, enforcement is carried out by the Lantau District
Traffic Team (DTT).
I will pass on your concerns, and those of other residents, to DTT for
their consideration.
I will keep you informed of the progress.
Parking in Mui Wo.
About 6 years ago Parking Meters were installed in Mui Wo, I believe the
then Divisional Commander objected to them. However meters were installed
in their present location and we are the enforcement agency. I have also
been approached for our comments on whether parking meters should be
installed in the back carpark at Mui Wo and other areas around Mui Wo. I
have objected to further parking meters being installed in Mui Wo.
Enforcing the parking meters in Mui Wo is not new, previously enforcement
was taken against parking in a metered parking space where the fee had not
been paid, but gradually enforcement died down and some people started to
use the metered parking spaces to park for the whole day while in Central.
Thus those people who wished to shop in Mui Wo or pop in for lunch or visit
the Vet had no short term parking available. The majority of other legal
spaces were full. After a period of distributing leaflets in May and June
2008 warning car drivers that their car was parked illegally with no
noticeable improvement, enforcement action was taken in early July.
In regards to parking in Mui Wo, police officers do not have any power of
discretion in the enforcement of metered parking spaces. If the appropriate
fee has not been paid enforcement action will be taken. In relation to
other areas discretion can be used. However should a member of the public
make a complaint enforcement action will normally be taken.
Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) spaces along the waterfront are on occasions
occupied by cars. (However as a diesel vehicle cannot be registered as a
Private Car, but must be registered as a Lights Good Vehicle, diesel
vehicles such as LandRovers are being registered as LGVs thus the demand
for these spaces is also increasing.) Action is taken on complaints from
members of the public, normally LGV drivers who find their space occupied
by private cars.
When the LGV drivers find the front spaces full they drive to the rear
carpark, depending on the size of their vehicle they sometimes cannot enter
or find the spaces full due to illegal parking and thus complain to the
police. Then we take enforcement action. Action in the rear carpark is only
taken on complaints from members of the public.
Parking is an issue, car parking spaces have not kept up with the expansion
of Lantau South and the growing number of car owners. The proposed new
face-lift is unsatisfactory in regards to car parking and I have written
comments on the proposed face-lift highlighting the lack of car parking
spaces. I am presently in discussion with Transport Department on
increasing parking spaces for cars in Mui Wo.
Discretion Used in Relation to Illegal Parking in Mui Wo.
I cannot authorise illegal parking, but according to the Police, Selective
Traffic Enforcement Policy (STEP), discretion can used in regards to
illegal parking on certain roads, as below;-
If one parks in a metered parking space without paying the appropriate fee
enforcement action will be taken.
Parking on the pavement causing an obstruction will attract enforcement
action.
Generally, if a section of road has been designated for a certain use, ie
taxi areas or buses, etc, enforcement action will normally be taken against
illegal parking.
If one parks illegally around Mui Wo Town causing an obstruction on the
corners, so that other vehicles are obstructed or the safe line of sight
turning into that corner is obstructed enforcement action will be taken.
Illegal car parking in LGV spaces will attract complaints and therefore
enforcement action is more likely, police may take action but not normally
unless a complaint is made.
Enforcement action against illegal parking in the carpark behind the
secondary school, or in the approach road to the this carpark will only be
taken on a public complaint and then only the cars actually causing an
obstruction, according to the discretion of officer attending the scene.
Illegal parking on straight sections of roads within Mui Wo Town, such as
outside MacDonald's, although not double parking, will normally be
tolerated.
I cannot say illegal parking in certain areas will definitely not be the
subject of enforcement action, but action will only be taken in some areas
based on public complaints. The policy has not changed, the difference is
now officers are being deployed to check parking meters and take
enforcement action when a car is found parked in a metered parking space
where the appropriate fee has not been paid or causing a genuine
obstruction.
Should any person feel a ticket has been issued unjustly, there is a
procedure where they may report to the police, either by post, email or in
person to a police station that they have been unfairly given a ticket and
that complaint will be investigated.
Holiday Cyclists.
Enforcement action is being taken with verbal warnings normally given to
cyclists contravening the rules of the road. However it is an area where
warnings do not appear to have their desired effect and to be honest not
enough warnings have been given. Previously leaflets have been distributed
from the bicycle shops in Mui Wo, however I agree with your point
concerning the style of the leaflet and will include this into my review. I
will also look at the possibility of the ferries and other companies
screening a bicycle safety programme. Thank you for your ideas I will take
them further.
Burglaries
This is a complex area. I am addressing the issue by increasing the number
of foot patrols within the villages and sending officers on rural patrols
to suspected hideouts. I also believe that crime prevention is an area
which can be enhanced, through precautions taken where you live, some are
cheap and effective, others can be very expensive.
It may also be time to consider re-establishing Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
on a more formal footing.
Exchanging Views.
I am keen to meet members of the Lantau Community and therefore perhaps we
could arrange an informal meeting covering the topic of Crime Prevention
and other issues which people may wish to raise. Cheung Sha Police Station
has a small function room and garden in the rear, with a BBQ pit.
If you and other residents are available, might I suggest that we meet on
the afternoon of Saturday the 27th of September, from around 1330 hours for
a start at 1400 hours. It will be bilingual, English and Cantonese so
everyone is welcome.
Please let me have your views on the meeting and numbers.
Thank you.
Neil Dunn
DVC LTSDIV
Office : 2980 6201
Mobile : 92775802
Fax : 2980 3696
Dear All,
I wrote to the new Divisional Commander regarding a variety of Lantau policing issues and received a very through response which DC Dunne said he is happy for me to circulate. I thought you might be interested ( see below)
He is keen to meet local residents & in the light of recent robberies to discuss crime prevention measures ( see end of letter) & has suggested a meeting :
“ I am keen to meet members of the Lantau Community and therefore perhaps we
could arrange an informal meeting covering the topic of Crime Prevention
and other issues which people may wish to raise. Cheung Sha Police Station
has a small function room and garden in the rear, with a BBQ pit.
If you and other residents are available, might I suggest that we meet on
the afternoon of Saturday the 27th of September, from around 1330 hours for
a start at 1400 hours. It will be bilingual, English and Cantonese so
everyone is welcome.
Please let me have your views on the meeting and numbers.”
The function room is quite small but if you would like to attend;
could you email DVC Neil Dunn on dvc-ltsdiv@police.gov.hk DIRECTLY
Please feel free to circulate this anyone you think would be interested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your email, please may I answer your concerns below.
Speeding
In relation to speeding, enforcement is carried out by the Lantau District
Traffic Team (DTT).
I will pass on your concerns, and those of other residents, to DTT for
their consideration.
I will keep you informed of the progress.
Parking in Mui Wo.
About 6 years ago Parking Meters were installed in Mui Wo, I believe the
then Divisional Commander objected to them. However meters were installed
in their present location and we are the enforcement agency. I have also
been approached for our comments on whether parking meters should be
installed in the back carpark at Mui Wo and other areas around Mui Wo. I
have objected to further parking meters being installed in Mui Wo.
Enforcing the parking meters in Mui Wo is not new, previously enforcement
was taken against parking in a metered parking space where the fee had not
been paid, but gradually enforcement died down and some people started to
use the metered parking spaces to park for the whole day while in Central.
Thus those people who wished to shop in Mui Wo or pop in for lunch or visit
the Vet had no short term parking available. The majority of other legal
spaces were full. After a period of distributing leaflets in May and June
2008 warning car drivers that their car was parked illegally with no
noticeable improvement, enforcement action was taken in early July.
In regards to parking in Mui Wo, police officers do not have any power of
discretion in the enforcement of metered parking spaces. If the appropriate
fee has not been paid enforcement action will be taken. In relation to
other areas discretion can be used. However should a member of the public
make a complaint enforcement action will normally be taken.
Light Goods Vehicle (LGV) spaces along the waterfront are on occasions
occupied by cars. (However as a diesel vehicle cannot be registered as a
Private Car, but must be registered as a Lights Good Vehicle, diesel
vehicles such as LandRovers are being registered as LGVs thus the demand
for these spaces is also increasing.) Action is taken on complaints from
members of the public, normally LGV drivers who find their space occupied
by private cars.
When the LGV drivers find the front spaces full they drive to the rear
carpark, depending on the size of their vehicle they sometimes cannot enter
or find the spaces full due to illegal parking and thus complain to the
police. Then we take enforcement action. Action in the rear carpark is only
taken on complaints from members of the public.
Parking is an issue, car parking spaces have not kept up with the expansion
of Lantau South and the growing number of car owners. The proposed new
face-lift is unsatisfactory in regards to car parking and I have written
comments on the proposed face-lift highlighting the lack of car parking
spaces. I am presently in discussion with Transport Department on
increasing parking spaces for cars in Mui Wo.
Discretion Used in Relation to Illegal Parking in Mui Wo.
I cannot authorise illegal parking, but according to the Police, Selective
Traffic Enforcement Policy (STEP), discretion can used in regards to
illegal parking on certain roads, as below;-
If one parks in a metered parking space without paying the appropriate fee
enforcement action will be taken.
Parking on the pavement causing an obstruction will attract enforcement
action.
Generally, if a section of road has been designated for a certain use, ie
taxi areas or buses, etc, enforcement action will normally be taken against
illegal parking.
If one parks illegally around Mui Wo Town causing an obstruction on the
corners, so that other vehicles are obstructed or the safe line of sight
turning into that corner is obstructed enforcement action will be taken.
Illegal car parking in LGV spaces will attract complaints and therefore
enforcement action is more likely, police may take action but not normally
unless a complaint is made.
Enforcement action against illegal parking in the carpark behind the
secondary school, or in the approach road to the this carpark will only be
taken on a public complaint and then only the cars actually causing an
obstruction, according to the discretion of officer attending the scene.
Illegal parking on straight sections of roads within Mui Wo Town, such as
outside MacDonald's, although not double parking, will normally be
tolerated.
I cannot say illegal parking in certain areas will definitely not be the
subject of enforcement action, but action will only be taken in some areas
based on public complaints. The policy has not changed, the difference is
now officers are being deployed to check parking meters and take
enforcement action when a car is found parked in a metered parking space
where the appropriate fee has not been paid or causing a genuine
obstruction.
Should any person feel a ticket has been issued unjustly, there is a
procedure where they may report to the police, either by post, email or in
person to a police station that they have been unfairly given a ticket and
that complaint will be investigated.
Holiday Cyclists.
Enforcement action is being taken with verbal warnings normally given to
cyclists contravening the rules of the road. However it is an area where
warnings do not appear to have their desired effect and to be honest not
enough warnings have been given. Previously leaflets have been distributed
from the bicycle shops in Mui Wo, however I agree with your point
concerning the style of the leaflet and will include this into my review. I
will also look at the possibility of the ferries and other companies
screening a bicycle safety programme. Thank you for your ideas I will take
them further.
Burglaries
This is a complex area. I am addressing the issue by increasing the number
of foot patrols within the villages and sending officers on rural patrols
to suspected hideouts. I also believe that crime prevention is an area
which can be enhanced, through precautions taken where you live, some are
cheap and effective, others can be very expensive.
It may also be time to consider re-establishing Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
on a more formal footing.
Exchanging Views.
I am keen to meet members of the Lantau Community and therefore perhaps we
could arrange an informal meeting covering the topic of Crime Prevention
and other issues which people may wish to raise. Cheung Sha Police Station
has a small function room and garden in the rear, with a BBQ pit.
If you and other residents are available, might I suggest that we meet on
the afternoon of Saturday the 27th of September, from around 1330 hours for
a start at 1400 hours. It will be bilingual, English and Cantonese so
everyone is welcome.
Please let me have your views on the meeting and numbers.
Thank you.
Neil Dunn
DVC LTSDIV
Office : 2980 6201
Mobile : 92775802
Fax : 2980 3696