Taiwan Today

Police officers in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City recently lent a helping hand to two young men in trouble. The two 18-year-old men, Lin and Zhan, were both raised by their grandparents. Not long ago, they were apprehended by the Xinxing District police in Kaohsiung City and the Gangshan Township police, respectively, for stealing motorcycles. The court released the two late one night. Having no money and scared of being scolded, neither man informed his family. They both decided to roam the streets and ended up hanging out at the Kaohsiung Train Station. Huddling in the arcade in front of the train station to escape the cold, Lin and Zhan discovered that they were pretty much in the same boat and hit it off immediately. Quivering from the cold, the two retreated to a corner where they talked about things and tried to stay warm. Later on, after the two youth were spotted by two officers on patrol from the Changming Precinct police station, they were immediately taken to the police station to spend the night. The officers at the police station were extremely hospitable to the two young men, making them instant noodles and letting them spend the night in the police station's dormitory. The two youths were moved by the officers’ generosity. The police took advantage of the opportunity to instill some values in the youths, telling them that they are only young once, and that they should not waste their time. The two pledged to turn over a new leaf, and said that they would never again do anything to harm society. The following morning, the police provided the two with bus tickets to get back home, telling them that they were always welcome to stop by for a cup of tea. They also asked the youths to stand up to all of the challenges and frustrations life throws at them. The two young men were so touched by the kindness of the police that they repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the officers for their assistance. (This article first appeared in the “Liberty Times” Dec. 29, 2009.)