All businesses, large and small, require a safe and stable environment in which they can safely go about the day-to-day running of their operations if they are to thrive. Today, Hong Kong has that advantage, and it is an advantage which has enabled it to thrive and grow into not just one of the greatest metropolises in the world, but also one of the safest. This is, in no small measure, due to our excellent Police force. But our civic-minded citizens also play an important role. By reporting crimes to the Police, and in many cases confronting criminals directly, Hong Kong citizens are letting criminals know that their actions will not be tolerated.
Since 1973, the Chamber has awarded close to 5,000 members of the public with Good Citizen Awards for their assistance to the Police in apprehending criminals. These have ranged from murderers and armed robberies, to arsonists, to pickpockets and con artists, and the Good Citizens are people from all walks of life – from a 6-year-old student to an 85-year-old retiree, and everyone in between. Their actions not only prevented these criminals from getting away with their crime, but also got them off the streets to stop them from committing future crimes.
From the generous donations made mainly by members of the Chamber and partly by the public to the Good Citizen Award Fund during past fund-raising drives, we have given million of dollars to these Good Citizens as a small token of the community’s appreciation for their brave actions. Now that the fund is nearly exhausted, we need your help to replenish it, to ensure that this very meaningful and worthwhile scheme can continue for many more years.
I sincerely encourage all members to donate whatever amount they can afford. Every cent collected will be given to reward those citizens who have shown concern and bravery in helping the Police make Hong Kong a very safe place to live and work for us all. These Good Citizens have done their part, now let us do ours.
Betty Yuen
Chairman
HKGCC
