Staying safe and peaceful throughout New Year's Eve

Mobile Police Force - Patrolling non-stop on every street

On New Year's Eve, the atmosphere at the Mobile Police Unit was quite hectic. Task forces held meetings, reviewed plans, and assigned specific duties to each shift. Holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) are already sensitive times for security and order; on New Year's Eve, the risk of law violations, public disorder, illegal racing, and fireworks displays tends to increase. Therefore, all plans were meticulously prepared to prevent any unexpected or unforeseen situations.

According to the plan, the force is divided into two main patrol shifts: the first shift from 8 PM to midnight; the second shift from midnight to 4 AM. Each shift consists of 12 officers and soldiers, divided into two teams. In addition, on New Year's Eve, an extra patrol team will be deployed in a vehicle to quickly handle any arising situations. The force will also be stationed in key areas where fireworks are often set off or large crowds gather after the New Year's transition.

Major Nguyen Van Quan – Team Leader of the Mobile Police Team, Mobile Police Department (Nghe An Provincial Police) shared that holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year) are the most stressful times for the force. Not only do they have to ensure regular patrols and controls according to plan, but they also have to anticipate complex situations that may arise when people gather in large numbers in central areas, squares, amusement parks, temples, and pagodas to pick lucky branches at the beginning of the Spring.

After the New Year's Eve countdown, as the crowds dispersed from the center, the second shift began its nighttime journey. All officers and soldiers were fully equipped with support tools: bulletproof vests, rubber bullet guns, walkie-talkies, etc. Each team had a team leader and deputy team leader in charge, ensuring that orders were transmitted smoothly and situations were handled according to professional procedures.

Sitting in the back of the patrol car, the difference in perspective becomes clear. The streets are still sparkling with lights, and the sounds of spring music emanate from shops that remain open late. But for the mobile patrol officer, every light, every group of people gathered, needs to be carefully observed. Gone is the leisurely gaze of an admirer; instead, there is intense concentration, a professional reflex honed through years of service.

Lieutenant Nguyen Xuan Ha, who has been with the force for nearly 10 years, said that during Tet (Lunar New Year), many young people are still careless when participating in traffic: not wearing helmets, swerving, and even driving under the influence of alcohol. In many cases, they only hastily put on their helmets when they see the mobile police officers. But the officers' job doesn't stop at reminding or handling administrative violations. More importantly, they must promptly detect unusual signs and prevent potential threats to security and order from an early stage.

"It's not just about traffic violations; we also have to carefully observe whether anyone is carrying prohibited items, weapons, or illegal substances. On New Year's Eve, with so many people around, even a minor collision can escalate into a fight if not controlled promptly," Lieutenant Ha shared.

For nearly 10 years of service, he's become accustomed to spending New Year's Eve out on the streets. While family members gather around the New Year's Eve dinner table and fireworks light up the sky, he and his colleagues quietly continue their patrols. For them, it's not a sacrifice, but a choice made by those who wear the uniform. Because behind every peaceful shift lies the complete joy of countless families reuniting.

Police Force 113 - No delay in responding to any report.

While the riot police patrol and control the streets, the 113 emergency response force is the "rapid response" to any emergency situation. On New Year's Eve, the 113 duty room was almost constantly ringing with phone calls.

For the 113 emergency response officers, every call is an urgent plea from the people. Their job is not simply to record information, but also to quickly assess the nature of the incident: whether it's real or fake, how serious it is, how many officers and soldiers need to be deployed, and whether coordination with other forces is necessary. Everything must be handled in the shortest possible time.

In the middle of the conversation, the phone suddenly rang, indicating a traffic accident on Tran Phu Street. After the collision, both sides exchanged heated words and called their friends, causing a chaotic situation. The information was quickly sifted through. Within minutes, the task force was on its way.

At the scene, there was no time to hesitate. The officers quickly approached, separated the groups of people, subdued those behaving aggressively, and promptly restored order. The decisive and professional appearance of the 113 force quickly dispersed the crowd, and the situation was brought under control. Once everything was settled, the officers returned to their unit, ready for their next assignment.

Before they could even settle into their seats, another piece of news arrived: a clash between two groups of young men on Ly Thuong Kiet Street... Their footsteps quickened again. For them, New Year's Eve was a series of unannounced departures.

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The nature of their work requires the 113 Police force to maintain a 24/7 duty schedule, regardless of weekdays or holidays. On average, the duty officers receive and process dozens of reports daily: from public disorder and fights between youth groups to family conflicts and minor disputes in residential areas. The command center must analyze and assess the level of danger in each case to deploy the appropriate force, avoiding wasted resources while ensuring effective handling. The motto of "three bests" - fastest, strongest, and most effective - is not just a slogan, but a mandatory requirement.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quoc Hung – Deputy Head of the 113 Police Team

Behind that fierce determination are silent sacrifices. Many 113 emergency response officers share that they hardly ever have the concept of "fully enjoying Tet." The New Year's Eve meal might be rushed before their shift; New Year's greetings to family are sometimes only sent through a brief phone call. But in return, they receive the trust of the people, something sacred and more precious than anything else.

As New Year's Eve passed, all streets were peaceful in the first hours of the new year. Behind that peace were the tireless footsteps of the riot police on every road, and the urgent dispatches of the 113 emergency response team in the middle of the night.

When the fireworks had faded and the crowds had thinned out, they continued their shift. Without fanfare, they quietly performed their duties with the utmost sense of responsibility, safeguarding the peaceful lives of the people.

For these men, the greatest joy on New Year's Eve is not the reunion, but seeing the new year begin in an orderly, safe, and peaceful manner. It is this silent sacrifice that creates a peaceful and complete spring in every home.