As in Not In My Backyard.
The new Immigrations Department Complex opposite the Cafeteria Bay will contain a detention centre, to replace the Victoria Detention Centre in Central. It will mainly house illegal immigrants, most of them young and good looking women.
The local elected District Council member called for a meeting a few weeks ago. I didn’t expect it to yield anything. Yesterday morning the property opposite to where we live hanged this out.
Then this morning there is a pamphlet in my postbox, issued by a certain “Opposing Castle Peak Road Cafeteria Bay Immigration Department Training Complex Detention Centre Concern Group”, w/ the contact address at the elected District Council member’s office, calling for a slow drive rally to Central, meeting w/ LegCo members, and a letter campaign. They cited:-
- Wrong location: it’s too close to the residential area of high land value, affecting property value and safety of the residents;
- Dishonesty: consultation in 8/1999 did not mention the detention centre;
- It would damage the local tourist industry and economic development of Tuen Mun;
- Reckless civil servants leading to conflict between the government and the people brh brh.
I have been living in this section of the Castle Peak Road for well over seven years now, love it, and we couldn’t imagine moving away from the community.
However, I do not understand the fuss. The new Immigration Department complex is one of those anonymous big building, which isn’t really ugly or anything. Detentees can’t get out, and we can’t get in. The chance of a breakout is virtually nil. There probably won’t be many visitors. The effect of this detention centre on the local community is precisely nil.
I hope not enough people care.