Back in the day I used to party a lot all over HK and I quite often I found myself present in many raids.
If it was a police raid in LKF, the police were quite polite and cordial and more often than not, did not check everyone's ID. Usually among the cops present will be at least one or two gweilos. Often the reason for raid, it seemed was to check the alcohol license holder's details and whether or not the club was adhering to the license restrictions...which meant I was most likely see these type of raids in the new establishments. Once a club/bar has been opened at least 6 months in LKF, there were hardly any more raids.
(HK police will often check the alcohol license of bars and restaurants because it is the local police precinct decides whether or not a place deserves a license after they have interviewed the future license holder.)
If it was a raid in Wanchai, the police attitude once again depended on the location. If it was a hotel club/bar, the police were there for same reasons as in LKF and were polite and cordial. If they were in some of smaller above-ground floor bars, the police were usually not there to check alcohol licenses but to look for someone specific or to check for drug dealing. I remember once I was a bystander to a confrontation between the police and triad. The police were shouting at a table of dodgy types to give them the person they were looking for...and the shouting went back and forth until the person desired was handed to police.
If it was in TST, the police will act just like what UncleDad experienced at the raid at a massage place even when they raid the bars and clubs there. For many years and still is, TST is considered the 'dark side' because of the prevalence of so many young triad guys partying at the bars and clubs...many expats esp overseas Chinese were too scared to cross the harbor to go to TST to party…but damn they did know how to party and they had some really hot and cute girls in the crowd. (in TST if you are interested in a girl, make sure you ask her whether or not she has a bf as her bf may be in the triad and those guys can be so hot-headed and possessive).
I heard cases whereby the police really harassed one overseas Chinese guy because they thought he was giving them attitude by not answering their questions...when it later turned out the guy didn't understand Chinese. At the same time speaking English doesn't help either because as UncleDad now knows, the police will think you trying to pull an attitude by pretending not knowing how to speak Chinese unless of course you obviously do not look Chinese.
In TST and Kowloon, the police really treats everyone inside any shady (bars, clubs. Spas, saunas, etc) establishment as a potential triad member during their raids. Usually they are there to look for someone or to check for drug dealing. You will be made to line up by gender for some questioning and ID check. I know some of you do not feel safe carrying your passport because you are afraid of losing it…then carry a photocopy of the passport and entry ticket and show them your local driver’s license or ID instead. By HK law, everyone has to carry ID at all times.
So next time you find yourself at an establishment outside of LKF, just listen to the instructions from police and do not ask questions. Every time someone decides to be uncooperative by pulling attitude, it just means the longer I have to wait until the police decides to end the raid and leave so the lights can be turned off and the music put back on. Plus remember during a raid, you cannot leave the place or go to the toilet, so cooperate so you can go back to your relaxation.
Just remember, be aware and stay safe. | |
