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| Police crack down on SARS－related crimes |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-23 13:05:32 |
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China's public security sector has cracked down several SARS related cases since the outbreak of the disease. The police are trying to maintain social stability during the national crisis.
When there's a natural disaster, there's also challenges to public security. This seems to be a rule history teaches and China's on－going SARS crisis is no exception.
"Though the number of criminal cases has decreased during the past month, SARS－related cases increased. Criminals are taking advantage of a range of modern communication methods to carry out illegal activities," said Tian Qiyu, executive vice－minister of Ministry of Public Security.
According to this official, criminal cases in Beijing dropped by almost 40 percent in April year－on－year. In May, less than 40 criminal cases have surfaced on average each day, almost 50 fewer than normal.
But some criminals are exploiting SARS to make money and disturb social stability. They've spread rumors through mobile phone short message services and the Internet. They've also manufactured and sold fake medical supplies, and even worse, blackmailed people by threatening to spread the virus.
In early May, two senior high schools in Beijing received threatening letters. The writer asked for 100,000 yuan or about 12,000 US dollars in cash, or he would put virus－infected masks on campus.
In late April, a businessman called the SARS emergency center in Beijing, claiming he had found a SARS patient in a company, which has business conflict with him. His call sparked panic in a plaza where the company was located and disrupted work at the SARS emergency center.
The alleged suspects were arrested by the police. But these crimes bring a new challenge to the public security sector. The police officers, apart from upholding social security during emergencies, also have to work with medical workers to come up with crisis plans. One example is the need to enforce the isolation of SARS patients.
"We are looking into ways to deal with similar incidents that might take place in the future. First, we need to strengthen communication with the health departments. Secondly, we should set up an internal emergency response system to cope with unexpected crises. Thirdly, our staff should be well－equipped to deal with a public health crisis," said Tian Qiyu, executive vice－minister of Ministry of Public Security.
The epidemic disease is a test to every citizen's social responsibility. But the criminals we have just mentioned actually placed their interest above that of the public. Their acts won't go unpunished.
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Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
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