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With the approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Housing Department has called on Public Rental Housing tenants to stop their children from burning wax.
The department said this was a misdeed under the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates by which points would be allotted on the household as well as a $1,500 fine, if the act resulted in dirtying public places.
"Burning wax is a hazardous act which may cause fires and severe burns. Five points will be allotted immediately under the marking scheme for littering or wax burning in public areas," a department spokesman said.
He said children under 14 of age committing the misdeed would not be getting around the marking scheme and the tenancy of their family members would be jeopardised.
"If the minors ignore verbal warnings from our patrol staff, we will resort to their parents. The household will be subject to penalty points allotment," the spokesman said, adding that a tenancy would be terminated if 16 points or more were allotted within two years.
The spokesman warned the department would not tolerate littering or wax burning and it was determined to keep the Mid-Autumn Festival safe in Public Rental Housing.
The department will step up patrols in Public Rental Housing to crack down on wax burning and littering. A fixed penalty notice of $1,500 or summons will also be issued to offenders on the spot.
In addition to routine patrols by estate management staff, the department will deploy Regional Patrol Teams between September 24 to 26 (Monday to Wednesday).
Starting from Monday (September 24), these teams comprising plainclothes Housing Department officers and security guards will patrol Public Rental Housing estates. A total of about 70 department staff and another 200 security guards will be deployed.
To ensure cleanliness of public areas in Public Rental Housing, cleaning contractors would be deployed early the next morning following the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The spokesman said that public education against wax burning was enhanced through the distribution of estate newsletters, display of posters at lift lobbies, promotional video and rolling text on the Housing Channel.
A total of 19 fixed penalty notices of $1,500 or summons to littering or wax burning offenders in public areas of public rental housing estates were issued during the three-day operation during last Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition, more than 600 verbal warnings were given.
Ends/Friday, September 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:30
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