By RK Shih/Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Kaohsiung City has raised its security alert level for large-scale events, including New Year’s Eve celebrations, following a recent attack on the Taipei Metro, Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said Tuesday.
Speaking after a city cabinet meeting, Chen said the city has ordered increased police deployments, higher visibility patrols, and stronger real-time reporting and cross-agency coordination to safeguard crowds and public venues.
Police Chief Lin Yen-tien (林炎田) said live-response drills were conducted on Monday at Dream Mall and the Kaisyuan MRT Station, simulating armed disturbances at event sites and smoke-device attacks and stabbings within MRT corridors. Drones were deployed extensively for 360-degree monitoring and evidence collection.
Police have also completed tabletop exercises covering citywide transport hubs and New Year’s Eve venues, adopting a “police–civilian cooperation and station-linked defense” strategy. Since Dec. 19, security has been stepped up across 39 MRT stations, 38 light rail stations, 18 rail stations, and eight bus terminals, mobilizing more than 6,000 officers.
Mayor Chen also directed agencies to intensify DUI enforcement ahead of year-end gatherings and to step up public safety reminders on fire prevention and indoor ventilation during colder weather.
