TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Zhulinshan Guanyin Temple (竹林山觀音寺) in New Taipei’s Linkou District held a ceremony on Tuesday (April 16) for the donation of four patrol cars and three detective vehicles to police.

The vehicles had a value of NT$7 million (US$215,000). Zhulinshan Guanyin Temple Chair Huang Huo-wang (黃火旺) said the temple has offered support to police officers to protect the community.

Chu said the new patrol vehicles will allow police to shorten their response time and potentially apprehend criminals or disrupt bad activity. In recent years, the temple has also donated reflective vests to National Highway Police Bureau, per CNA. 

New Taipei City Government deputy mayor Chu Ti-chih (朱惕之) expressed gratitude to the temple for the donation. Chu said the community is growing, making it more difficult to ensure public safety.

There are about 210,000 residents in the Linkou and Taishan districts. Given the number of businesses and schools in the area, and the number of people visiting, the total population can increase to 250,000.

Chu said the combined population of the two districts can put a strain on police resources. Fortunately, support from the local temple and community has provided support for police officers.