Hong Kong – Police kick off third cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics (with photos)
Police kick off third cohort of Leadership Institute on Narcotics (with photos)
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The Hong Kong Police Force today (April 6) launched the third cohort of the Leadership Institute on Narcotics (L.I.O.N.), a dedicated programme to develop young anti-drug leaders.
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, noted the resounding success achieved by L.I.O.N. since its establishment in 2021—the emergence of 200 young anti-drug leaders and the dissemination of the “Drugs? Never, Ever!” message to over 50 000 students and members of the public, paralleled by a cumulative decrease of 52.4 per cent in the number of arrestees aged under 21 for drug offences, from 624 in 2021 to 297 in 2023. Among them, those arrested for serious drug offences were reduced to 178, including 48 students. The cumulative drop in the number of cases involving students was greater than that of non-students.
Mr Siu also mentioned that the number of mentees signed up for this year’s programme had reached a record high. He expressed appreciation towards L.I.O.N.’s sponsors, executive committee members, professional trainers and mentors, as well as the principals of the 20 participating secondary schools for their unwavering support—the bedrock of L.I.O.N.’s continuous development and its commitment to passing on the anti-drug torch to future young generations.
Mr Siu added that an evaluation study conducted by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the second cohort of L.I.O.N. showed that the programme had effectively raised anti-drug awareness among mentees and enhanced their communication skills, leadership capabilities and self-confidence. The third cohort of L.I.O.N. will include new modules on stress management, digital media publicity, creative thinking and video shooting and editing skills, to further develop the potential of the participants.
During the ceremony, mentees from the second cohort shared their valuable insights gained from an overseas exchange tour. They broadened their horizons by telling good stories of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts and learnt about drug harms and the anti-drug policies of different countries. The kick-off ceremony also featured the premiere of a new video jointly presented by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Correctional Services Department. The video showcased the experience of a young inmate who was sentenced to imprisonment for drug manufacturing, using her own story to caution young people against making similar mistakes.
Founded by the Police Narcotics Bureau in 2021, L.I.O.N brings together different sectors of the community and it is committed to nurturing 80 secondary school students and 20 undergraduates each year to become anti-drug leaders. Through participating in drug knowledge workshops, leadership training camps, Mainland and overseas exchange programmes, as well as anti-drug campaigns on campus, mentees learnt to spread messages against drugs within the community. Coupled with relentless and utmost enforcement efforts, the Police will continue working with the public to protect the youth from drug harms and to build a society embracing a “Drugs? Never, Ever!” culture.
TMF Collaborates with the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters to Develop Accident Prevention Approaches Integrating Police Accident Data with Vehicle Data
Okinawa, Japan, Mar 19, 2024 – (JCN Newswire) – Since concluding a collaboration agreement with the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters in February last year, Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) has been working to analyze police accident data, vehicle data (passenger cars and commercial vehicles), and rental car in-vehicle app data. This work is being carried out together with TOYOTA Rent a Car Okinawa, Yazaki Corporation, JTB Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, the University of the Ryukyus, and The School of Engineering at The University of Tokyo in an arrangement involving industry, government, and academia. Currently, the data sets are being pooled to pursue various measures, such as identifying dangerous locations, investigating the causes of accidents, formulating countermeasures, and verifying their effectiveness as efforts to develop accident prevention measures progress. Additionally, efforts to reduce rental car accidents, promote tourism, and alleviate traffic congestion through in-vehicle apps continue to produce positive outcomes. The main achievements are listed below. Moving forward, TMF will advance this initiative under the name “Okinawa Yuimaru Project,” which means working together (= “yui”) and mutual assistance (= “mawaru, maru”) in the Okinawan language, and further efforts will be made to solve regional issues such as reducing traffic accidents and promoting tourism. 1. Progress with Infrastructure measures Through multi-faceted analysis combining police accident data with vehicle data (from Yazaki Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation), progress is being made to identify dangerous locations and reflect this information in road safety measures in collaboration with various administrative agencies. Road safety measures utilizing data related to braking suddenly, an action highly correlated with traffic accidents, are being implemented in collaboration with Ginowan City, Nishihara Town, and the Naha Port AuthorityAs a means to improve school route safety, work is being carried out in collaboration with Nago City to address speeding that accompanies the use of backroads as shortcutsAccident data and vehicle data are combined to estimate risk factors for dedicated left-turn lanes, a common roadway format in Okinawa with a high accident rate 2. Changes in driving behavior thanks to dedicated in-vehicle tablets Vehicles equipped with dedicated tablets (manufactured by Yazaki Corporation) demonstrated reduced accidents during the demonstration period, logging a 55% decrease in accidents for non-Japanese and 38% for Japanese nationals. Additionally, analysis of vehicle data showed an improvement in the number of instances of sudden acceleration and sudden braking, supporting the decrease in the number of accidents. The number of vehicles equipped with a dedicated tablet has been increased from the initial 20 to 50. Additionally, vehicles utilizing in-vehicle multimedia, newly developed by Toyota Motor Corporation to diagnose driving behavior and provide warnings, have been added as we continue expanding our monitoring of changes in driver behavior. 3. Promoting changes in tourist behavior by providing information on attractive new destinations via an in-vehicle app Recommending nearby attractions (when renting and when the vehicle is stopped) along routes different from those suggested by in-vehicle car navigation systems to tourists in rental cars planning to visit the Churaumi Aquarium led to visits to those attractions, thus contributing to the promotion of hidden tourist attractions and the alleviation of traffic congestion. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. has newly joined the collaborative arrangement, which has been extended to March 2025. This deepens the industry-government-academia collaborative analysis by adding data from a non-life insurance company. Going forward, we will further focus on establishing the “Okinawa Model” that combines solutions to social issues, such as reducing traffic accidents and alleviating traffic congestion, with the added value of providing an enjoyable tourism experience. Reference: Previous press releases and initiatives Past initiatives of the Okinawa Yuimaru Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRt-s3aYF1Q (Japanese) To achieve traffic safety, it is important to have “Integrated Three Part Initiatives” of People, as in educational activities for drivers and pedestrians; Vehicles, as in the development of safe vehicles; and Traffic Environment improvements, such as the installation of traffic signals and road maintenance. In addition to a full range of educational tools and activities coordinated with relevant organizations, all aimed at “people,” TMF is promoting efforts to realize a “society with zero fatalities and injuries from traffic accidents” by combining existing technologies and adopting new technologies and perspectives. About Toyota Mobility Foundation The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC’s on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world. Contact: Toyota Mobility Foundation (Ota)
Police hold CyberDefenders’ Carnival 2024 (with photos)
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Police launch large-scale exhibition to promote anti-drug messages (with photos)
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Addressing at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that the harm of drugs on society was beyond doubt, not only causing irreversible health damages, but also ruining young people’s future and their families. He noted that with the legalisation of individual drugs in some countries, the public, especially youngsters, have become less vigilant against drugs and underestimated the consequences. Therefore, whilst taking enforcement actions, the Force also focuses on carrying out anti-drug publicity and education work, and is actively reaching out to the community and schools to disseminate anti-drug messages.
Mr Siu pointed out that the year-on-year decrease in the number of drug-related offences committed by young people in the first three quarters of this year was encouraging, reflecting the effectiveness of anti-drug publicity and education work over the past year. The number of youths aged under 21 arrested for serious drug offences is about 130, hitting a record low in ten years. He hoped that all sectors of the community would continue to cooperate to convey the positive messages of love for life while promoting an anti-drug culture for a drug-free society.
The two-day event “Love Our Life – LOL Party 2023” offers a wide range of exciting activities, including the game booths set up by this year’s “Leadership Institute on Narcotics” mentees, first-ever anti-drug themed drone show in the territory, and an experience sharing session by rehabilitated drug abusers. Other activities such as rope skipping performances, fitness sessions, music busking and sharing by youth literature writer, Ms Ma Chui-lo, will also be presented to promote the message of cherishing life, staying away from drugs, and developing a positive value and healthy life through sports, music and reading.
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; Director of Crime and Security, Mr Yip Wan-lung; and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man.
This is the second time that the Force has held the “Love Our Life – LOL Party” anti-drug exhibition since last year, which is also the highlight of NB’s anti-drugs campaign between September and November. The “Leadership Institute on Narcotics” was set up by NB in 2021, nurturing 100 outstanding young anti-drug leaders every year by motivating young people to organise their own anti-drug campaigns on campus and to actively disseminate anti-drug messages in schools and the community.
Commissioner of Police says Police resolutely safeguard national security
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Japan – TMF Collaborates with the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters to Develop Accident Prevention Approaches Integrating Police Accident Data with Vehicle Data
December 2021 press release: https://toyotamobilityfoundation.jp/news/release/0057.html (Japanese)
October 2022 press release: https://toyotamobilityfoundation.jp/news/release/0064.html (Japanese)
February 2023 press release: https://toyotamobilityfoundation.org/en/press-room/release02062023/
TEL: 070-2499-9823
Office hours: 8:30 am – 17:30 pm JST (unavailable Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays)
E-mail: info@toyota-mf.org Hong Kong – Police hold CyberDefenders’ Carnival 2024 (with photos)
The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) of the Hong Kong Police Force held the “CyberDefenders’ Carnival 2024” at HarbourChill, Wan Chai today (January 20) to educate the public about cyber threats and digital security through entertaining performances and interactive game booths, attracting 8,000 participants.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, said that the surging cybercrime has posed a global challenge in recent years. He quoted that Hong Kong recorded 31 467 cases of technology crimes with a total loss of $5 billion in the first 11 months of last year. Of them, 80 per cent were online scams. To enhance public awareness of fraud prevention and digital literacy, the Police launched the “All-round CyberDefence 2024”, a citywide cyber security campaign, through online and offline publicity activities calling for joint efforts from all sectors of the community, to make fraud prevention and digital security a part of people’s daily lives. He called on members of the public to take note of the recently launched High Risk Alert on the “Faster Payment System” and “SMS Sender Registration Scheme”, and to remain vigilant in order to identify fraud traps.
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Director of Crime and Security, Mr Yip Wan-lung, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Ms Chung Wing-man; the Chief Superintendent of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, Mr Lam Cheuk- ho; and the Deputy Director of the Judiciary Police of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Sou Sio-keong.
The carnival featured 28 performing groups singing and dancing, including DI CODAR’s debut performance of “No No”, the theme song of the “All-round CyberDefence 2024”, as well as a light show in the evening, in which as many as 800 drones presented a story based on the theme of cybersecurity to promote the message on fraud prevention.
The “Greater Bay Area Youth Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security Challenge” organised by the CSTCB also held its final and award presentation ceremony during the carnival. The challenge, which aimed to raise the awareness of cyber security and digital literacy among young people, attracted more than 1 000 secondary school students from Hong Kong, Macao and cities in the Greater Bay Area. Participants were asked to design artificial intelligence solutions to improve the quality of life of the public and safeguard cyber security. The ultimate champion of the competition was a joint team composed of Cheung Chuk Shan College, Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School, and Church of Christ in China Mong Man Wai College. The champions of Guangdong Province and Macao were joint teams composed of Fok Ying Tung High School, Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School, and Alcanta International College of Guangzhou, as well as Pui Ching Middle School (Macau), Saint Paul School Macau, and Guang Da Middle School, Macao.
In addition, Mr Siu presented souvenirs to representatives of 29 public and private organisations in recognition of their contribution to the event.
The “CyberDefenders’ Carnival” is a flagship event of the “All-round CyberDefence” campaign. For details of the campaign, please visit the designated website of “CyberDefender” (cyberdefender.hk).
Hong Kong – Police launch large-scale exhibition to promote anti-drug messages (with photos)
The Narcotics Bureau (NB) of the Hong Kong Police Force launched a large-scale anti-drug exhibition titled “Love Our Life – LOL Party 2023”, at the West Kowloon Cultural District from today (November 18) for two consecutive days. With “Drugs? Never ever!” as the theme, the exhibition aims to raise anti-drug awareness among the public, particularly the youth, in an innovative and lively way through a series of publicity and educational activities.
Hong Kong – Commissioner of Police says Police resolutely safeguard national security
In response to media enquiries about some United States (US) lawmakers using an excuse to introduce a bill of so-called “sanctions” against officials of the HKSAR responsible for safeguarding national security, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (November 5) issued the following statement:
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, strongly condemned the despicable and shameless tactics by certain US politicians, adding that their hegemonism is doomed to fail and will only make the HKPF even more determined and fearless in defending the spirit of the rule of law in Hong Kong and safeguarding national security.
He pointed out that every country attaches importance to national security, as it is the cornerstone of national stability and the bedrock of people’s well-being. Having double standards, certain US politicians have been wantonly smearing officials of the HKSAR and continuously intimidating and exerting pressure on with malicious intent.
He said that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China and has the constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. The HKPF has all along been resolutely and fearlessly fulfilling the responsibility of safeguarding national security.
Mr Siu stressed that the HKPF, while discharging duties under the Hong Kong National Security Law, always takes law enforcement actions based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, against any people, institutions or organisations that endanger national security.
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