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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 17) appealed to people to keep venues clean and tidy and not to burn wax when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A spokesman for the department said that patrols would be stepped up at department venues including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites from September 24 to 26. On those three nights, around 1,000 staff will be deployed to take enforcement action against people who litter or burn wax.
He said that littering offenders would be issued with $1,500 fixed-penalty tickets while those who burnt wax would be prosecuted.
"Wax-burning is strictly prohibited. People should not place lit candles on ground and grass pitches of department venues or on beaches. Metal cans or non-flammable containers should be used to collect melted wax for easy disposal into litter bins," the spokesman said.
"They should wrap and properly dispose of their rubbish into litter bins," he said.
Visitors to department venues should not melt or burn wax, or sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax where someone is likely to be injured or property can be damaged.
An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' jail.
The spokesman said people could report wax burning cases at Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues by calling the hotline, 2414 5555, which would operate from 7pm to midnight on September 24, 25 and 26. Department staff would then be deployed to the scene to take appropriate enforcement action.
Ends/Monday, September 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:02
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