中级英语口语教程Thieves Beware ： People See You

中级英语口语教程Thieves Beware ： People See
You
Lesson 33
Thieves Beware ： People See You
Text A
Each year car theft costs us about ￡300 million,burglary sets us back by another ￡50 million.
Yetpolice reckon that one carfiveleft unlocked, or with windows open, or with expensive goods temptinglydisplay. Itestimated that over 60%homes still do not have any window locks (although that's better thanfew years ago whenwas
nearer 90% ) .
These facts illustratebasic truth.
The truththat most criminals arethe lookout forsoft touch. They are not hardened "professionals" who set out with particular targetsmind, but young, inexperienced or unsophisticated.
What they're looking fora house or car that will let them get in, get what they wantget away quickly.
In short, an easy opportunity.
Manythese opportunities can just as easily be removed. By fittingusing locks. Or by taking other very simple precautions.
And if we can foil small-time criminals with modest individual effortcost, how much more could be achieved by working togetherNeighbourhood Watches ( there are forty-two thousand already)? Orother local activities involving police, councils, businesses, voluntary groupsschools?
More radically still, what might we see if more systematic effort was madedesign anti-crime features into cars, housesestates?
Thisnotpipe dream： it's already happening.
Take housing. Therea growing awarenesshowdesign, layoutconstructionhousesestates can affectincidencecrime.
Many police forces are now appointing specialist architectural liaison officerstheir crime prevention departments.
A new British Standard has been published. Some builders are now building security features into new housing projects.
Or cars. The InstituteConsumer Ergonomics at
I,oughborough University carried outresearch project into automobile security which was presentedthe motor industry atspecial Home Office conference.
Some manufacturers are now fitting better securitythe production line. Some magazine road tests regularly reportthe subject.
About 95%crirnes are against property rather than people. But, not surprisingly, itthe remaining 5% --assault, muggingrape,example-that causesmost commentconcern.
But even thugs lookeasy opportunities. The dark alley,
the pensioner who doesn't check callers'
credentials,child who acceptslift fromstranger. These can be reduced by personalcommunity action.
For example, because allus feel vulnerable sometimes, policeother experts have devised simple, sensible precaution which individuals can adopthelp minimiseriskbeing
attacked.
Text B
You can't missneighbourhood watch people, or "old auntie". as they are sometimes called. Asneighbourhoods all over Beijing. they wear red armbandssitsmall chairslances off Wenjia Street downtown.
If you arestranger thereyour behaviour arouses their suspicion, you are likelybe stoppedquestions, such as whom
you are lookingand where you are from.
You needn't worry about theft if you livethe areaforgetlockdooryour house;aunties will lockduring their daily inspection tour past every house-the community. But remember,severe criticismyour carelessness will follow.
Their presence may be one reason426-household community with about ,200 residents has been free from theft, burglaryother criminal actsalmost 0 years.
Every community memberencouraged by their neighbourhood residents' committeeremain alertpossible theft andcontribute an individual effortthe maintenancea safe environment.
The Wenjia Street neighbourhood residents' committee runspublic security committee together with committeesmediation, publie health,women's affairs.
" They all look inconspicuous, yet their functions are great," cammentedpublic order official fromMinistryPublic Security.
The official's commentunderstandable. sinceneighbourhood committees have provedbe an effective approachmaintaining public orderensuring public safety attime when professional police areshort supply.
InWenjia public security committee,instance,additionsix directors, there are 38 residents who act as amateur policethe neighbourhood.
Exceptsix directors, who receive 45 yuan monthly from he government,neighbours work voluntarily. They formsmall but sensitive security networktheir community.
Among38, 54 are retired workers or older housewives, whose jobto take turns guarding42 courtyardshousesthe community.
AccordingRan Yuzhen,committee director,whole community has been divided into 35 groups, with 62 people appointedbe group leaders.
" Every community memberinvolvedthe security work," said Ran.
Safetymaintaineda numberways.
First, patrols by professional police.
Second, daily inspection tours aroundcommunity by six committee directors.
The directors keeplogtheir observations while inspectingneighbourhood.
Third, guardingcourtyardshouses byretireeshousewives.
Fourth, installationburglar-proof locks.
"Safetypossible withparticipation o# every memberthe community involvedthe security work," said Ran.
Additional Information
Lu Xiuli was not boasting when he said he wastop-notch policeman. " catch thieves.know their tricksalways makebig haul. "
Lu. 42, works withCriminal Investigation Departmentthe Municipal
Public Security BureauGuilinGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He headsspecial task forcecatch thievespickpocketscrowded busesother public places.
"The thieves are very much afraidme," he said. "Whenever they recognize
me, they run off asrat fearscat. "
Withlong experience, Lu can recall from memorynamesnicknamesmore than ,000 thieves or pickpocketsthe
city. He can list their physical characteristicsknows their hauntstricksthe trade. He always carriessmall notebook with information about major suspects. This has helped him spot them when they arethe prowl.
Typical pickpockets are unemployed urban youth aged between 825, Lu said. They have grown upare quite independenttheir parents. But they do not yet have their own families. And they do not care much aboutconsequencestheir activities.
Their targets are usually tourists or travelling traders from outsidecity, not only because these people often carrylotmoney but also they are only transients who know
little about local conditions. Thieves usually avoid localsfear that they may come across them some other day and, even if they were not caughtthe act, they may be recognized sooner or later.
"I have learnedspot pickpocketsa crowded bus
bydistinctive ways they move," Lu said. Many pickpocketsa bus choose their targets when passengers exposelocationtheir wallet as they take out moneypayfare. The pickpocket edges towardsvictim asking, peoplemake way as if he wantedget offbus. But he stops nextthe targetraising one handgripoverhead bar, slipsother intoperson's pocketdeftly removesmoney using only indexmiddle fingers.
Pickpockets are usually not dangerous criminals, but sometimes Lu hasfight them facefacea lifedeath struggle. Because he has shown no mercydealing with thieves, manythem are waiting forchancetake their revenge. Some even threatened
him. "Don't be too harshus or sooner or later we will settle with you," warned one.
But Lunotbe intimidated. "I'mpeople's policemanwill never recoilfear before enemies," he said. "To protectpeople's interests,am readyshed my bloodeven sacrifice my life. " Innine yearspolice career, Lu scuffled with criminals 29 timeswas injured three times.。