Violence against the police and neighborhood watch officials is
increasing, the city's procuratorate has said.
In the first eight months of this year there was one murder and
272 injuries, two serious.
"The level of violence and the seriousness of injuries are on
the increase," Director of the Prosecution Division with Shanghai
People's Procuratorate Ji Gang said.
"By the end of August, 320 individuals responsible for 241
attacks on police or neighborhood watch personnel had been charged
for impeding the administration of justice, assault or murder."
Half the attacks were made when police were dealing with traffic
rule violations, neighborhood disputes or in raids on illegal
activities.
In June, a policeman stopped Huang Jie for riding a bicycle
without a license plate.
He was writing out a ticket when Huang started to beat him and
bit another officer. He was charged with impeding the
administration of justice.
Zhu Bochen, a procuratorate spokesperson, said a lack of
security personnel and equipment, and inadequate punishment were
contributing to the increase in violence.
"Growing social conflicts due to the widening gap between the
rich and poor and people of varying educational levels are creating
challenges for social security," Zhu said.
In another case, Wu Ximing and Wang Renhua were fined for buying
a large amount of fireworks, without being authorized.
They plotted revenge with relatives and friends and came up with
a sting operation at their supermarket. They beat the police
officers involved and then called 110, claiming they had been
trying to extort money.
The gang was charged for the attack and defamation and sentenced
to prison for between eight and 30 months.
In July, two neighborhood watch officers in Yongxiang Village,
Jiading district, apprehended Zhu Zhenqiang.
They found a piece of plastic used to pick locks, but Zhu
scarpered and when the security officers tried to stop him he
stabbed one in the shoulder and stomach. He later died for his
wounds.
Zhu was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death in Jun 22
by Shanghai No 2 Intermediate People's Court. His accomplice, who
helped Zhu dispose of his bloody clothes, was sentenced to four and
a half years in prison.
(China Daily September 13, 2007)