(LI SHIGONG)

At the end of September, banners carrying the slogan "Catch one thief, get 1,000 yuan" appeared in Gulou District of Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. According to local officials, the goal of the publicity campaign is to combat property violations and encourage people to take heroic actions against criminals.

But those heroic actions could come at a high cost. The banners promptly sparked a massive debate.

Those who supported the campaign thought rewarding volunteer thief catchers could reduce property violations, inspire heroic actions and create an anti-crime social atmosphere. Opponents said that while the intention was good, the campaign undermined the police. They believe catching thieves is the statutory duty of police officers, one that cannot be assigned to others randomly. Besides, encouraging people to catch thieves through a reward system might put them in danger. So as an anti-crime measure, it is not advisable.

In fact, other cities in China have taken similar measures in the past, including Zhengzhou and Pingdingshan in Henan Province, Zhongshan in Guangdong Province and Panjin in Liaoning Province. Though differing in details to some degree, their aims were reportedly similar: to supplement the police force and maintain good public order.

In February 2008, the government of Gulou District issued a document, which stipulates that civilian(s) who catch a thief on the spot will receive a 1,000-yuan ($146) reward. Local police officers stressed that they were still mainly responsible for fighting against criminal activities, while civilians were merely encouraged to make up for their deficiencies. In the first 10 months after implementation, volunteer citizens caught 115 theft suspects and 76 people were rewarded for their actions.

Pragmatic at present

Wang Junrong (Hebei Youth Daily): As a police officers' responsibility, catching thieves seemingly has nothing to do with civilians. But in reality, the number of police officers is generally inadequate while thievery is rampant. The time when thieves were bitterly condemned has long since passed. In this context, rewarding volunteer thief catchers will undoubtedly bring out people's courage, as well as establish a social atmosphere that upholds justice.

Undeniably, volunteer thief catchers put their safety at risk. However, citizens tend to take self-protection measures on dangerous occasions. Furthermore, police authorities in Gulou District have said that if a suspect seems dangerous, citizens should call the police first. Tipsters are still eligible for a reward. The policy allows volunteer thief catchers to make the choice themselves.

Fighting against thieves was normal in the past, but it's less common today. It is useless to cling to past ideals that have faded away. Emboldening people through tangible measures and rewards is more practical.

Wang Daihua (www.newssc.org): Today, without supportive regulations, people are reluctant to catch thieves voluntarily, fearing that they will be the targets of revenge if they fail. So rewarding volunteer thief catchers certainly promotes a heroic spirit.

Catching thieves is a high-risk activity. Rewards would make people more likely to take part in it, thus fostering a formidable atmosphere for thieves. No matter how bold they are, criminals rarely escape from most people's eyes. With a reward system, catching thieves will become a widely participated in social activity that will help create a good social atmosphere.

Lin Xiaoming (Western China City Daily): Nowadays, people sigh about moral degradation while opposing rewards for volunteer thief catchers. In fact, this method is simply an affirmation of heroic actions. Fighting against crime is a citizen's obligation. The Criminal Law recognizes citizens' right to self-defense. From a legal perspective, encouraging people to catch thieves motivates them to exercise their legitimate rights. So the measure to reward voluntary thief catching has basis in existing laws.