Hong Kong Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed on Monday his department recorded a total of 59,225 criminal cases last year, up 9.2 percent over 2018 — the first such increase in 13 years. He noted that the number of reported criminal cases in the first half of 2019 was actually 4.7 percent lower than the same period a year earlier, but surged in the second half as a direct result of frequent unlawful activities, including criminal vandalism, physical violence against innocent bystanders as well as police officers on duty, arson, and setting off homemade explosive devices. The initial public reaction, at least on social media, was an overwhelming sense of outrage toward and strong condemnation of the perpetrators, enablers and their instigators, rather than shock and disbelief.

The initial public reaction, at least on social media, was an overwhelming sense of outrage toward and strong condemnation of the perpetrators, enablers and their instigators, rather than shock and disbelief

The scale of these criminal offenses by participants of organized illegal assemblies is unprecedented in Hong Kong history as we know it, but not nearly sufficient to paint the whole picture of runaway violence and wanton destruction, which reminded people of terrorist attacks in Hollywood movies. Moreover, the fear-inducing feats of bloody violence, criminal vandalism and arson by rogue “protesters” also created numerous opportunities for “conventional” criminals to commit theft, break-ins and street robberies with more ease and success. By keeping a large portion of the police force busy protecting the public from their criminal outbursts everywhere and every week or every other day, the soldiers of the “black revolution” and their commanders behind the scenes were undeniably guilty of committing organized crimes in broad daylight.

Tang also told the press the police were able to solve only one-third of the reported crimes last year, the lowest success rate since 2001, while the number of criminal offenses surged for the first time since 2006, all thanks to the masterminds and instigators of the “black revolution” and their brainwashed followers.

Given how overstretched the police were at the height of the violent campaign, when they found themselves constantly outnumbered, pelted with gasoline bombs and gored by pointed objects by swarms of blackshirts who exhibited a notorious knack for attacking officers who somehow got separated from the rest of their squads, it leaves many wondering how many criminal activities have gone unreported.

As a result of such concerns, when harrowing tales emerged on social media in the form of “insider scoops” — some of which tell of the systematic sexual assault of underage girls, and substance abuse of “freedom fighters” in black at secret hideouts — many people didn’t find them so hard to believe.

On top of all those hideous crimes and street violence is the lingering doom and gloom left by the latest entry in the United States’ “regime change” diary since the heyday of the Cold War. And it qualifies as quite a highlight in the deadly undertakings known as “revolutions”, mostly colors or flowers, in that it has not stopped even when the city is practically locked down by COVID-19. In that sense, it is without question worse than any public health crisis in terms of its multifaceted damage to Hong Kong currently and in the long run.