Title

Embracing the Spirit of Mutual Support – A Patrol Team formed by Residents

Embracing the Spirit of Mutual Support – A Patrol Team formed by Residents

Mr Lo, Member of the Kwun Tong Garden Estate Patrol Team

Lo shares that the Hung Cheuk Lau patrol team used to serve every night, stationed at the stairwells of the five entrances of the building. The very spot behind him, at the bottom of the staircase, is where he once stood guard.

As the sun sets and darkness descends, people make their way home, stepping into the realm of Kwun Tong Garden Estate from Ngau Tau Kok Road. They enter the passcode, swing open the iron gates, and exchange greetings with the security guard. It truly feels like coming home. However, half a century ago when social security was scarce, housing estates lacked iron gates and security posts. It was a time when returning home after dark filled people with worry. Lo, a 67-year-old resident, recalls the unity that prevailed among the Hung Cheuk Lau community. They embraced a “One for all and all for one” spirit, spontaneously forming a “patrol team”. For many nights, he and his father would take up stools, don helmets and wield wooden sticks, and stay on duty at the stairwell unfazed for a few hours, silently guarding those returning home late. 

Patrol team as guardian of community

In 1966, Lo, around nine at the time, moved with his family from their flat in Mong Kok into Hung Cheuk Lau of Kwun Tong Garden Estate. “We learnt from the newspaper that this place was for rent, so we came to visit. It was desolate back then, and we even got lost and ended up on Yuet Wah Street!” Having lived in Kwun Tong Garden Estate for over half a century, he is one of the rare residents who had once been part of the patrol team and still live there today. 

In the days without security guards stationed at the entrance, anyone could come and go freely in public housing estates. “During those times, there were rampant head bashing gangs (扑頭黨), and robberies were prevalent. And, it happened right here, at these stairwells!” Many neighbours were victims of thieves and robbers at night because of the dim environment in the staircases and corridors. “It was like this all across Hong Kong back then, which is why many housing estates had residents who voluntarily formed patrol teams.” 

Everyone's self-imposed duty: Even sacrificing rest time

The Hung Chuek Lau where Lo lived was no exception. The patrol team began maintaining security in the 1970s, and Lo who was still a high school student and his father were members of the team. “The patrol team was a voluntary group.” The patrol team operated on a rotational basis, with each member taking on duty once a month. A roster was posted on the notice board in the lobby of Hung Chuek Lau, indicating the locations for which each unit were responsible for guarding. It was updated every month. Before elevators were installed in Hung Cheuk Lau, the location where the elevator now stands in the lobby served as a storage room. Prior to 8 pm each evening, the residents on duty would gather here, equipped with tools such as wooden stools, helmets and wooden sticks, and get ready for their night shift. 

Lo explained that the patrol team didn’t have to physically patrol the floors. Their role was to sit near the entrances, keeping a watchful eye for any strangers attempting unauthorised entry. The Hung Chuek Lau patrol team had their duty hours from 8 pm to 12 am every night, with three members stationed at each of the five stairwells, adding up to at least fifteen individuals on duty each night to ensure the safety of those returning home late. “Everybody acted on their own, taking their seats with wooden stools at 8 pm and returning home when the shift ended.” He recalled how some neighbours, even if they had to be up early for work the next day, never missed their commitment. Despite sleepless nights, they remained true to their promise until the end of the shift. On occasions when his father worked late, Lo would hold the fort in his place. However, they had never had the chance to patrol together as a father and son duo. 

Neighbourly support shines through times of hardship

Having formed the patrol team, the residents feel much safer and the overall security of the housing estate has improved. Lo chuckled as he shared his years of service, feeling grateful that he had never encountered any miscreants or heard of any robberies within the estate. “Things were definitely better this way,” he said, “as soon as burglars saw us guarding the entrance, they wouldn’t dare to set foot inside!” Smooth sailing without any waves is truly a blessing. In the mid-1980s, as the social security condition improved, the patrol team completed its historical mission and disbanded with honour.  

Reminiscing about the past of the patrol team brings back fond memories for Lo. Despite not being affluent, the days of neighbours watching out for one another in the estate are still deeply cherished. Just like the patrol team, even though participation was voluntary, residents eagerly stepped forward. Lo shared that he and his father joined without hesitation, solely driven by a desire to contribute to the community. “That was the mindset back then,” he explained, “Everyone was more united, watching out for each other.” Neighbours, regardless of differences, came together to protect their homes, fostering a sense of belonging among the residents. In the interview, Lo often expressed his fondness for Kwun Tong Garden Estate, saying that he wishes to continue living in this estate and has no plans to move out.

細遊花園

Kwun Tong Garden Estate
Documentary Project

​CopyrightDisclaimer | Contact Us​ 

Planned byHong Kong Housing Society

PartnersDragon Foundation, Lion Head Culture, Hide and Seek Tour

Copyright © 2025 Hong Kong Housing Society. All Rights Reserved.