The incident took place on Halloween in Lan Kwai Fong. A friend held a party at his home just outside Lan Kwai Fong, in between two areas of limited access. I was fortunate to arrive prior to the barricades going up. Later, friends complained that police were harassing them and not allowing them to enter to get to our friend's home. They were told that they would need to produce a bill as proof of residence.

Who carries a bill? After several attempts to convince the officer, my friend simply walked past. The officer made no attempt to stop my friend from going further, except to shout empty threats.

ADVERTISEMENT

Several friends had the same story. Two others were led on a detour which took them two hours.

Police made no effort to notify residents near Lan Kwai Fong to make arrangements for ease of access. People had no idea they would be stopped from returning home during certain hours.

Then they gave residents and guests a hard time. For what? You push through and they just let you go? It's an intimidation game.

Lastly, at the end of the night partygoers were intoxicated, stumbling around hoping not to fall over broken bottles. Many could not follow the broken lines to their destinations and walked on the road, where an angry officer yelled at them and flashed a light into their faces. This shows a total lack of compassion for people and an abuse of power.

I myself know police tactics very well, as I used to be one. As a Hong Kong resident, I was ashamed of that, based on what I had seen. It reflects badly on the men and women in the force who really know their job and do it well in the public interest.

Mathew

*Use a format first*