Li Tsu-chiang (not his real name) is a born-and-bred Taiwanese. In the 1970's he emigrated to New York. Every time he returned he felt incomparably safer and relaxed, putting New York's murder and theft in the back of his mind. But five years ago things began to change: When he got to Taiwan family and friends were all talking about extortion, theft, wanted criminals. . . .

From the statistics we can see that Taiwan's public order is putting out danger signals. For example take extortion and property related violence. In 1986 there were only 1,605 persons involved. In 1989 this had jumped to 21,000. In 1986, 633 guns were uncovered. In 1989 there were 9,789. No major city can avoid a deterioration in public order, but Taipei's fall from being a "model student" to being "notorious for its crime rate" is something that has occurred only in the last couple of years.

When the new cabinet took office in June, Hau Pei-tsun announced he would move strongly to rectify public order.

Premier Hau, who knows his arts of war, really is adept at "catching the ring-leaders first." According to studies, the biggest factor in Taiwan's poor social order is the influx of guns. Because gangsters see themselves as invincible when armed, extortion cases multiply. One example is recently captured Joint criminal Huang Hung-yu, one of Taiwan's ten most wanted gangsters, who had the run of the island, taking money when he needed it at gunpoint. He even said during the local elections, "You'd better not run if you haven't received my nomination."

A lot of entrepreneurs now hesitate to drive expensive foreign cars, because it marks them as targets. Emigration has increased over the past two years, which is closely tied to the crime problem. According to a national survey done in January by the National Science Council, 33% of those who emigrate cite poor public order as the reason.

Thus, after taking office, Premier Hau convened a public order conference of cabinet ministers, and set eight points to focus on. Two were smuggling and guns. Another was for gangsters illegally acquiring capital with underground investment firms--like the oldest and largest, Homey, which had several leaders of the Four Seas Gang among its managers.

Besides going on the attack, there must at the same time be defense.

Take for example strengthening patrol work. Because every cop will know his beat, they can prevent crime. And places where crimes are frequent, like KTV, MTV, underground dance halls, video arcades, and so on, will have increased controls and limited operating hours.

There are two other preventative measures. Because of the increase in juvenile crime, the Executive Yuan has ordered "school grounds crime sweeps." And with increased illegal demonstrations after the lifting of marital law, hired provocateurs generate violence. The Yuan has decided that these will be prosecuted if they fall under the "Statute on the Punishment and Cleaning of Hoodlums during Period of National Mobilization for the Suppression of the Communist Rebellion." They will be arrested on the spot, not after the events are over.

Having a plan, you need the troops to carry it out. Because public order is the concern of all of society, it is total war, with several ministries and all police organs involved.

What about results?

At the end of August the Gallup organization in Taiwan undertook a poll of leading entrepreneurs. Within the last year, two out of ten had been hassled by bad elements. After three months of rectifying public order, 87.2% felt satisfied with Premier Hau's methods to rectify public order. Also, 80.9% believe public order has improved.

Nothing has had a greater impact on the public than the capture of most wanted criminals Yang Shuang-wu and Huang Hung-yu. Their "diversified" activities, involving robbery, murder, gun-running, extortion, stocks manipulation, and election violence, were a leading factor in the decline of public safety.

Also, the arrest of Shen Chang-sheng and other leading figures in the Homey underground investment firm and the freezing of assets, bringing to a halt the stormy eight-year run of underground investment houses, was a major event. It had 160,000 creditors and debts of NT$90 billion, so you can see the extent of the problem. The Homey case is waiting to go into the judicial process, and the term "underground investment firms" will become merely of historical interest.

Of course, no one feels stronger than the criminals themselves. Some drugs smugglers have seen the islandwide net and 24-hour patrol activities and just changed professions. But others aren't dismayed--"Where is the government going to get so much manpower to keep it up long term?" --and have taken a wait-and-see attitude.

As for underworld figures, a number have left the country, and caused a "gangster emigration fever." According to reports, it's not easy for them to emigrate, so many buy passports from poor nations. Most head to Hong Kong, the Philippines, or mainland China.

You can say the fruits of these three months of civic order work have been abundant. Nevertheless, some aspects have stoked public debate.

Joint police navy air force army patrols have brought concerns about "military interference in politics" or "is this a return to martial law?" "In fact, this is completely consistent with the law," says Hau. According to Article 16 of the customs smuggling regulations, customs can ask for the assistance of the military and police.

Nevertheless, whether those implementing the policy can use their wisdom and experience to resolve unnecessary conflicts and ill effects will be the key to success or failure in the future.

For example, in stopping illegal civil movements, or blocking hired thugs getting into the movements, on-the-spot arrests have some concerned that this will affect the development of democracy at home.

Li Chen-shan, associate professor at the Central Police College, points out that in a situation where the crowd psychology is hard to get control of, immediately arresting someone after suffering from their violent acts can satisfy most people's sense of justice. But it can also induce greater confrontation and injury.

Of course, the biggest problem is the crime problem will not be solved overnight. These policies can only treat the symptoms. Much experience tells us that after the thunder and lightning of crime sweeps are past, criminal activity rises from the ashes to be even more rampant.

In this regard, Premier Hau has ordered the Council for Economic Planning and Development to come up with a six-year national construction plan. It is estimated it can be put into effect starting next year. The biggest difference between this plan and past economic plans lies in this: Besides items for the economy and major public infrastructure projects, a section on social and cultural construction will be specially added.

This blueprint for national construction, due at the end of the year, will, many hope, be able to get to the roots of solving the problem of social order.

War on Crime: The First Three Months

TARGET 1: SMUGGLING

Rampant smuggling, especially in guns and drugs, has created a serious law and order problem:

1. Guns: Contributes to an increase in blackmail, extortion, kidnapping, and conspiracy; lowers willingness to invest; increases emigration.

2. Drugs: From March to June, 1990, the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) uncovered smuggling in heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, showing an increase in the spread of drug use.

Current Policy

Implementing 'Plan Sea Sweep.'

Main Actions

1. Employs 10,000 military and police personnel. Current Ministry of Finance customs points serve as bases for anti-smuggling sweeps.

2. The Navy provides support for all-weather, round-the-clock patrols around the island.

3. The Air Force interdicts suspected smuggling at any time.

4. The military police, police, and Army cooperate in harbor inspections, road checks, and market inspections.

5: The Navy hired almost 100 civilian fishing boats to assist in patrols.

Near-Term Impact

A total of 373 smuggling cases have been cracked.

Main Plans

1.The Ministry of Finance will establish a special unit responsible for smuggling patrols to take up the work when the Joint Task Force on Smuggling reaches its end.

2. To prevent fishing boats from smuggling, the Council on Agriculture will compile dossiers on the more than 30,000 fishing boats in the country. It will also work to increase international fishing cooperation and develop long range fishing to reduce the incentive to smuggle.

TARGET 2: GANGS

Domestic criminal gang activities have worsened following a period of quiet after the 1984 crime sweep. Besides expanding the area of operation, and extorting businesses, they have gotten into underground illegal investment companies, construction, stocks, and commercial fraud, and use violence to affect local elections.

Current Policy

National crime sweep, called 'Operation Thunder.'

Main Actions

1. The first action was taken on July 9, with arrests of important wanted criminals, gang leaders, and weapons holders.

2. The second move was on August 22, with arrests of gang figures implicated in extortion of and violence toward major stock players and enterprises, and in election-related crimes. The third move was on the fifth of September.

Near-Term Impact

1. In all 124 gang leaders have been arrested.

2. Before July of this year, the police gang information letter box received 5-6 letters per day, but in July they received only 50 or so.

Main Plans

1. Collecting of evidence and sweeps will continue under the Statute on the Punishment of Hoodlums.

2. Patrol zones work will be implemented. The number of patrol areas will be increased, help will be given to form crime watch groups, and manpower will be increased.

TARGET 3: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, FOREIGN LABOR

Illegal immigrants from mainland China and foreign labor have become a 'black market population,' creating all kinds of problems for social order. Foreign labor is most often involved in theft or robbery. Illegal mainland immigrants sometimes cooperate with gangsters in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Current Policy

Eradication, repatriation.

Main Actions

1. Surveillance equipment at key points along the coast and ports has been increased.

2. Implementation of patrol areas and strengthening of household registration inspection.

Near-Term Impact

Over 500 illegal mainland immigrants have been discovered.

Main Plans

Because there are a large number of illegal immigrants and repeated offenses are common, the Executive Yuan has decided to revise the National Security Law and to make additions to the legal basis for repatriating illegal immigrants from mainland China. Repatriation work will be handled by the Red Cross organizations of the two sides. For foreign labor, those convicted of criminal offenses will be repatriated only after sentences have been served.

TARGET 4: ECONOMIC CRIME

Since their appearance in 1982, underground investment firms attracted NT$180 billion of capital. Illegal futures companies, insider trading, involvement of gangsters, and illegal bars, coffee shops, etc., not only are a threat to public order, they also create unfair competition.

Current Policy

Economic/financial crime sweep.

Main Actions

1. Between June 7 and September 3, the BQI completely wiped out illegal futures companies and underground investment firms.

2. Since August 2, the Ministry of Finance has levied a licensing tax on all bars, coffee houses, video game parlors, etc. Related data will be provided to the police and work units to fully ban illegal operations.

3. The Securities and Exchange Commission of the Ministry of Finance will establish a computer inspection task force to investigate all types of unusual transactions.

Near-Term Impact

From June to September, 67 companies which illegally accepted deposits or absorbed capital were uncovered. On August 22, Shen Chang-sheng, president of the largest illegal investment firm, the Homey group (with 160,000 creditors and debts of more than NT$90 billion), was haled in by court summons, spelling the end of such firms.

Main Plans

1. To collect intelligence on smuggling, and pursue buying and selling of smuggled goods.

2. To uncover those institutions which accept investments under the guise of setting up new banks or the like.

3. To deal with insider trading and illegal margin loans, as well as illegal activities of stock societies and securities firms.

TARGET 5: SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES

KTV, MTV houses, 'beauty parlors' (a common front for brothels), saunas, massage parlors, and public baths have become hotbeds of crime. Gambling and sex have also made their way into electronic game parlors to severely harm young people. The above locales also often include illegal structures, which threaten the safety and tranquility of ordinary homes.

Current Policy

To limit operating hours and eradicate violators.

Main Actions

It has been stipulated that the above mentioned businesses cannot operate after 3:00 AM. Those under 18 must leave before 12:00 midnight. Violators will lose their licenses or have water and electricity shut off.

Main Plans

1. To establish a detection system to encourage the public to report violators.

2. The government will encourage private investment in youth activities centers to provide appropriate entertainment.

TARGET 6: JUVENILE CRIME

Juvenile crime is constantly increasing, and there are large number of cases of extortion and threats in schools. From January to August, the number of criminals had already approached 200, equivalent to all of last year.

Current Policy

Crime sweeps on campuses and school grounds.

Main Actions

The juvenile crime police have dispatched teams to patrol school grounds, and are cooperating with school officials to maintain school security while tracking down bad elements entering schools from outside.

Main Plans

1. To implement Plan Uncarved Jade, to reinforce guidance for junior high school aged juveniles.

2. To implement a national six-year plan for employment counseling, to bring together families, schools, and society to establish a comprehensive guidance structure.

3. To expand continuing education and open up educational channels.

OTHER STEPS TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER

1. To spread the household-linked automatic reporting system: The Hanchung Street station in the Wanhua district of Taipei has already installed the first such system, with positive results. The city police have decided to expand it to the whole city.

2. Possession or use of amphetamines will be punishable under the Drug Control Statute.

3. To clean up hotels: The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications announced that beginning in September, all local governments must investigate hotels; any with sex crimes or gambling must be closed on the spot. If there are violations of construction, fire safety, or health codes, these must be eradicated or repaired within a fixed time. All data must be reported to the Bureau to establish a dossier system.

4. To eliminate troublemakers who are not legitimate members of popular movements--those who frequently are hired to participate in workers', farmers', and environmental movements to provoke incidents, if they fit under the "statute for punishment of hoodlums," they will be dealt with according to the law.

5. To draw up a public housing law: There are a large number of crimes in public housing. The Ministry of the Interior will draft a public housing control law.

6. To firmly deal with illegal public assembly: Hereafter, illegal assemblies and marches will be immediately and compulsorily disbanded. The method of collecting evidence at the scene and making arrests later will be abandoned. Those who use violence, throw petrol bombs, and take similar actions will be prosecuted under current statutes.

7. To deal with corrupt officials: Top priority will be given to prosecuting officials or security officers who protect illegal activities, in order to achieve effectiveness in targeting crime.

[Picture Caption]

(Left) When most-wanted criminal Huang Hung-yu tell into the police net, it rid society of a walking disaster. Premier Hau personally extolled the officers involved. (photo by Li Pei-wei)

(Right) In measures to maintain social order, the cops are the shock troops.

Garbage discarded by smugglers has been a common sight on the Ilan coastline for the past two years, showing the seriousness of smuggling.

These two fishing boats engaged in exchanging illicit goods were caught red-handed by Special Strike Force Seven. (photos courtesy of Special Strike Force Seven)

The police have stepped up surprise checks to stop crime.

Guns smuggled in from the mainland are a source of chaotic social order.(photo courtesy of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation)

(Above)Under the shadow of extortion, many parents personally drop off and pick up the kids at school.

(Below)In order to avoid being the object of the covetous eyes of street punks, the wealthy no longer smile so favorably on the Mercedes.

Dance halls and other businesses subject to incidents have become a "locked-on target" for crime sweeps, and are no longer death traps for public safety.

The Homey group, the first of the underground investment firms, has bit the dust in the wake of "sweeping the underworld of the economy." The photo is of Homey head Shen Chang-sheng, now under arrest. (photo by Ch'en Kai-chu)

（Right） In measures to maintain social order, the cops are the shock troops.

Garbage discarded by smugglers has been a common sight on the Ilan coastline for the past two years, showing the seriousness of smuggling.

These two fishing boats engaged in exchanging illicit goods were caught red-handed by Special Strike Force Seven. （photos courtesy of Special Strike Force Seven）

The police have stepped up surprise checks to stop crime.

Guns smuggled in from the mainland are a source of chaotic social oGuns smuggled in from the mainland are a source of chaotic social order.（photo courtesy of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation）

Above）Under the shadow of extortion, many parents personally drop off and pick up the kids at school.

（Below）In order to avoid being the object of the covetous eyes of street punks, the wealthy no longer smile so favorably on the Mercedes.

The Homey group, the first of the underground investment firms, has bit the dust in the wake of "sweeping the underworld of the economy." The photo is of Homey head Shen Chang-sheng, now under arrest. （photo by Ch'en Kai-chu）

Dance halls and other businesses subject to incidents have become a "locked-on target" for crime sweeps, and are no longer death traps for public safety.