Dezhou city develops new river safety management

Wucheng county – located in Dezhou city, in East China's Shandong province – has strengthened the links between protection and law enforcement since the start of the year, in order to promote effective management of its rivers and lakes.

It's explored a management model involving local officials and police officers. The latter are responsible for handling affairs and cracking down on river-related crimes discovered by officials.

Luquantun town in Wucheng county, which can be hit by flood discharges, is a prime example. Adjacent to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the town has 22 river channels. Some illegal behavior – such as littering and taking soil – has been experienced there, posing a threat to safety.

Since the establishment of the new management model, the town has conducted inspections, cleaning and coordinated action to improve its river channels.

Issues such as illegal building, irregular tree barriers and garbage piles have been rectified, ensuring the safety of the river channels during the flood season.

What's more, the town has also organized voluntary activities, urging the public to participate in river patrol and protection work. (Edited by Chen Chuxuan)