I'll be kind, you be strong

On 23 March, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand would move to Alert Level 4, asking the public to “be strong and be kind”. Early this morning, after a 48-hour transition, the whole country officially entered lockdown. At this moment, we have never felt so close to our own communities, and police officers we might previously have gone years without encountering may now be patrolling the streets outside our homes.

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Will crime rise?

Many Chinese people were probably shocked last weekend by a sudden flurry of reports about vandalism and looting in their WeChat feeds. The New Zealand Herald then reported on customers queuing outside gun shops. Alongside anxiety about the pandemic, concerns about public safety began to spread. So let us consider this rationally: will New Zealand's crime rate really rise sharply during the nationwide lockdown, as people fear?

An advisory ASB sent to customers indicates there is evidence that certain crimes which can be committed while “working from home” are increasing. These include:

• Phishing emails. Fraudsters often claim to represent a disease control centre or a World Health Organization (WHO) research team, trying to trick people into opening malicious attachments and clicking suspicious links to steal personal information, email login details and banking information.
• Phone scams. Scammers exploit people's kindness by posing as health department or hospital staff and asking for money, claiming it will support their work.
• Malware. Be careful with links even in emails from familiar business partners. Scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at impersonating legitimate businesses and embedding links to malware in emails, allowing them to access company IT systems and personal computers.

Yet while some crimes increase, many traditional forms of crime will probably inevitably decline as all public entertainment venues and non-essential retail premises close, people nationwide stay at home, and supermarkets increase security and police presence to ensure shoppers keep their distance. Examples include late-night offending caused by excessive drinking or drug use, as well as home invasions.

In fact, judging by trends already seen in other countries, perhaps the greatest concern over the coming weeks should be “public safety” within the home. With entire families confined to a limited space for 24 hours a day, managing relationships between partners and between parents and children may soon become a challenge for many.

A reminder is also necessary here: New Zealand law places life above all else in any crime. Injuring an offender to protect your property is therefore also a criminal act and may likewise lead to imprisonment.

A nearby neighbour is better than a distant relative

Almost as soon as those troubling reports about public safety emerged, Chinese people in New Zealand quickly established local contact networks through WeChat. In these groups, people who had been strangers found neighbours, parents of their children's classmates, and others who enjoyed visiting the same supermarkets and restaurants. There is no doubt that coming together for support in difficult times is a human instinct: we are social creatures. Through everyone's efforts, these groups could provide real help when it is most needed.

1. Over the past few months, most Chinese people have probably either taken part in or witnessed arguments in WeChat groups. New groups could set some ground rules: do not spread unverified information, and above all, do not panic. Use the official government website as the primary source for all information: https://covid19.govt.nz/
2. Stay connected online and by phone. But instead of passing your anxiety on to your listeners, use those conversations to ease stress and resolve practical difficulties in daily life. Wasn't that the reason for setting up the group in the first place?
3. If you do encounter suspected criminal activity, alerting a WeChat group is certainly one way to seek help. But keep your priorities straight: remember that calling the police should be your first choice. To make good use of police resources, call 111 in an emergency and 105 for non-emergencies.
4. Many Chinese people may not know that New Zealand also has a local app for connecting neighbours: Neighbourly. It offers timely government announcements, notices of community events, and requests and offers of help with everyday matters, as well as groups based on where you live. While staying home, with work and study no longer keeping you so busy, why not try getting to know neighbours from different ethnic backgrounds online? When the familiar door to social life temporarily closes, you may open a new window.

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Police are already taking action

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said this morning that police had redeployed their staff. From today, officers would be more visible on streets, at supermarkets and in other areas where needed, maintaining public safety and ensuring people comply with travel restrictions under Alert Level 4. Police have also thoroughly anticipated a possible increase in family violence. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Defence Force is on standby, ready to support community police officers whenever needed.

To address possible racial discrimination during this exceptional period, New Zealand Police Asian liaison officer Kevin Deng has also shared his email address (liang.deng@police.govt.nz) and phone number (021 191 0673)。He urged anyone who encounters racial discrimination on social media to take screenshots, note the date and report it to police by email. Officer Deng emphasised: “You can contact Officer Deng whether you personally experience discrimination or potential discrimination, or discover discrimination in any setting, including something a friend tells you about or information you find on public social media.”

A decisive move from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 4 within 48 hours, a special coronavirus committee established by the Government, medical staff mobilised, police fully engaged, the military on standby… On the first day of Alert Level 4, there is a measure of reassurance amid the tension.

At the end of his interview, Mike Bush urged New Zealanders to “be kind, stay home, save lives”. Yes, as government agencies grow stronger, we should feel confident enough to focus on how to be kinder.

God defend New Zealand: God has entrusted that duty to everyone now living in this land.