SHAU KEI WAN police station may be closed under a proposal that has sparked fears of a crime wave in the fast growing community of 230,000 people. Grassroot representatives for Hong Kong Island's second-largest police district are demanding answers after regional commander Paul Hung Hak-wai confirmed that partial or total closure of the station was being considered by police headquarters. 'We are examining the feasibility of what sort of service something other than a police station can provide,' Mr Hung told the Sunday Morning Post. 'Does it really benefit the public to have a police station with all its overheads?' He added: 'It's a bit premature to say the station's fate has been cast in stone. 'With the technological developments, you don't really need people to come to [the station]. Maybe telephone, fax and computers . . . can fulfil policing needs to keep pace with the times.' The proposal has raised fears among community representatives, who say police should instead be looking at extending their presence with the expected population growth in the area. Eastern District's Fight Crime Committee chairman Philip Mak Shun-pong said he had sought a meeting with Mr Hung and Home Affairs officials to discuss the issue. He said the proposal was never raised with the 22-member Fight Crime Committee, which he has chaired since April. 'I disagree with any plans to close the station,' he said. 'The police cannot justify it by saying 'maybe we will change our policy'. 'Within two years there is expected to be 50,000 more people in the area . . . a police station will be important. 'Most residents wish to have a station there, not only to protect us, but to give a feeling of security,' he said. Shau Kei Wan District Board representative Lo Tip-chan said residents would be discouraged from reporting crime if they were expected to rely on technology to do so. 'Not all families have faxes and computers at home. With a growing population, it is not wise to close the station,' she said. The Shau Kei Wan district includes Quarry Bay, Taikoo Shing, Kornhill Estate and the public housing estates of Hing Tung and Yiu Tung.
