By Zhang Minjiao Correspondence by Zeng Fangzhou and Zhu Min

　　Profile:
　　With more than three decades of distinguished law-enforcement service, Officer Weng Honghua has earned one First-Class Merit, one Second-Class Merit, and two Third-Class Merits. In 2024, he was recognized as one of Jiangxi Province’s "Most Outstanding Grassroots Police Officers" and honored as a "Role Model in Gun Control and Explosives Management" by the Prison and Detention Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security.

　　Officer Weng Through Different Eyes
　　"Morning, Uncle Weng!" Every morning, students at Guixi No. 4 Middle School cheerfully greet Weng Honghua as he keeps a watchful eye at the school entrance. Weng, an officer from the Guiye Community Police Office under Huayuan Police Station, always responds with a wave and a quick safety reminder. By 7:50 a.m., once the last middle school students have entered the campus, Officer Weng will head to Guixi No. 1 Primary School, 500 meters away, ensuring the safety of younger pupils, whose schedule starts and ends 20 minutes later.
　　Situated on the main road of the Guiye residential area, Guixi No. 1 Primary School faces heavy traffic during peak hours, which coincide with shift changes at nearby factories. The children’s safety is truly a source of constant concern for Weng. Since his assignment to the Community Police Office in 2023, Weng has worked closely with school administrators to address the thorny issue. One year into his new post, Weng has endeared himself to the pupils, for "Uncle Weng" stands guard at the school gate—rain or shine.
　　Though affectionately addressed by the children as "Uncle Weng," he was often called "Little Weng" by the community residents.
　　After completing military service in 1992, Weng was assigned to work at the Gui Ye Branch of Guixi Public Security Bureau in Jiangxi Province. His exceptional performance led to his 2010 promotion to Deputy Director of the city’s detention center. In May 2023, responding to Guixi’s "50 Grassroots Projects" initiative, the then 55-year-old officer volunteered to work as a community police officer at his original community. "At the detention center, colleagues called me’Veteran Officer Weng.’ But here in the community, many residents are my seniors, so now I’ve become’Little Weng.’ "
　　Octogenarian Mr. Liu, who lives with advanced dementia, often insists: "I only trust Young Officer Weng. I’ll wait for him!" Amid his fading memory, he retains unwavering faith in Officer Weng Honghua. Once, he brought a cherished porcelain panel painting to the police station as a gift for Weng. "You’re like family to me," he insisted. "I wouldn’t give this to anyone else." Understanding the deep sentiment behind the gesture, Weng temporarily accepted the gift to avoid upsetting him. Later, however, he quietly returned the precious artwork to Mr. Liu’s home.
　　For two consecutive years, the children of Mr. Liu—unable to personally care for their aging father from afar—have expressed their profound appreciation by sending commemorative banners to Weng’s police station and community office. Emblazoned with the words "Community Champion, People’s Guardian," these banners symbolize more than familial gratitude; they represent the collective recognition of the entire Guiye neighborhood.
　　The Guiye community, an old neighborhood belonging to factory, is home to 7,260 residents, including 117 in their eighties, some living alone, some battling severe health issues, still some having lost their only children. As one local resident put it, "Some elderly people become disoriented the moment they step outside, but they always remember to call Officer Weng."
　　On one occasion, an 83-year-old man came to the office looking for Officer Weng, only to find that Weng was temporarily away on other duties. Community staff offered to walk him home, but the elderly resident insisted, "I won’t leave without seeing Officer Weng."
　　The trust that elderly residents have in Weng stems from his sincere dedication. In June 2023, Officer Weng visited Ms. Shao, a woman in her 80s living alone and struggling with severe foot inflammation and swelling. The sweltering heat made her condition especially dangerous, and any delay in treatment could have serious consequences. Now an old man in his fifties, Weng did not hesitate—he carried Ms. Shao on his back down four flights of stairs and rushed her to hospital. Throughout her treatment in hospital, he paid visits whenever possible, delivering daily necessities and keeping her company. Their conversations revealed that Ms. Shao was originally from Zhejiang Province and had lost contact with her family three decades earlier. Determined to help her reconnect, Weng made dozens of calls and inquiries to locate her younger brother. When her brother called, in their native dialect and addressed her as "Big Sister," Ms. Shao couldn’t help but burst into tears. This is just one of numerous examples of Officer Weng’s selfless service and deep commitment to the well-being of his community.
　　"Young Officer Weng is the one who truly cares for us, so he’s always our first call when trouble comes," explained the elderly residents. To Weng, these simple words represent the greatest praise he could wish for.
　　In the 18 months of his service here, Officer Weng has mediated 126 community disputes and maintained a perfect safety record, with zero criminal and public security incidents.
　　
　　Brewing Peace Over Tea
　　"As an avid tea lover," Officer Weng shared. "When residents come to me with problems, I invite them to sit down and talk things through over a pot of tea. As tensions ease, the knot in their hearts will unravel."
　　In the "Brewing Peace Over Tea" mediation room at the Guiye community police office, a traditional tea set takes pride of place on the central table. During a dispute in November 2024, Officer Weng calmly suggested, "Ms. Jiang, Ms. Li, why don’t we sit down and talk this over with some tea?" What began as a heated argument between neighbors over a leaking ceiling had nearly turned physical. In the mediation room, Weng served each woman a steaming cup of tea. As the soothing aroma filled the space, the two calmed down. Weng seized the chance and came up with a practical solution.
　　"In this densely populated community with shoddy infrastructure, minor conflicts are inevitable, often over trivial matters. But small sparks can start big fires if not properly addressed," Officer Weng explained. His innovative "Brewing Peace Over Tea" approach has proven remarkably effective: to date, not a single mediated dispute has escalated into criminal proceedings.
　　"The tea’s getting weak—brew a fresh pot before refilling," Officer Weng patiently reminded his auxiliary officer Wu Jiahao. Born in 1998, Wu, three decades Weng’s junior, had initially struggled to adapt to the daily grind and its rhythm. But after 18 months under Weng’s mentorship, Wu decided to stay in the office. "He’s like one of those role models you read about in books," Wu says of Weng, with admiration in his voice. "I enjoy his mentorship."

　　A Veteran Guardian of Community Peace
　　Now in his late fifties, Officer Weng proactively learns new technologies. His morning routine always begins by checking the Tongdu Police Station’s "Task List". "This platform, developed by the Guixi Public Security Bureau, has revolutionized our workflow," Weng notes. "With its intuitive design, clear instructions, and visual crime-mapping features, it’s dramatically boosted our efficiency."
　　In the dead of night in early 2024, Officer Weng Honghua received an urgent call that an 80-year-old Alzheimer’s patient had wandered off into the darkness. Weng sprang into action, immediately using the department’s risk-zone mapping system to narrow the search area to a major section of Baili Avenue, about four kilometers away. He coordinated real-time tracking with the surveillance command center and mobilized community volunteers for a targeted ground search. Within just 3.5 hours, they found the shivering senior and brought him to safety.
　　In May 2024, Officer Weng tackled a surge in manhole cover thefts with a targeted, data-driven strategy. He began by analyzing high-risk zones and cross-referencing surveillance footage with waste recycling network records to track suspicious activities. After conducting late-night stakeouts, his team successfully apprehended the perpetrators. Two landmark cases showed the power of visual public security tools, which boosted investigation efficiency by 60% and reduced similar property crimes in the area by 42%. This marks a smart transformation from passive response to proactive prevention at the police station.
　　While his patience and dedication earns him the trust of the residents, his "Fingertip Policing" WeChat group enables seamless 24/7 online-to-offline services, providing locals with more convenient and efficient security support.
　　During a July 2024 night shift, Officer Weng received an urgent call: a girl had gone missing. As he gathered details about the girl’s appearance while reassuring the frantic parent, Weng immediately shared the information on the Fingertip Policing WeChat group. Within minutes, dozens of residents joined the coordinated search. Just an hour after the alert, the lost child was found by the roadside.
　　"Thank you all. We couldn’t have found the missing child so quickly without your valuable WeChat group contributions." Officer Weng expressed heartfelt gratitude to residents. This digital platform, central to Weng’s community policing strategy, was established after his assignment to the local police office. As a newcomer to neighborhood policing, Weng implemented a comprehensive outreach program to raise locals’ awareness of anti-fraud measures, drowning and fire prevention, and traffic safety. He made door-to-door visits to distribute police contact cards and safety materials; he organized outdoor legal education screenings and conducted awareness campaigns in local schools and businesses. Recognizing the limitations of physical visits—residents were often away when he called at their homes—he pioneered an innovative digital solution. For each of the 69 apartment buildings in his jurisdiction, Weng established a dedicated WeChat group. "This platform allows us to efficiently share security alerts, safety tips, and emergency notices, while bridging communication gaps with residents. It also plays a vital role in emergency response efforts, like locating missing persons," Weng explained. Meanwhile, he collaborated with the community Party Committee to form the "Guiye Voluntary Police" team. Composed mostly of building managers, the team conducts regular foot and vehicle patrols under Weng’s leadership, significantly increasing police visibility and responsiveness. "After seeing night-patrol photos shared by the building managers in the WeChat group, more and more neighbors volunteered to join the patrol team," Weng said. Today, the team has grown to over 60 members, contributing to an exceptional safety record of zero criminal or public security incidents in Weng’s jurisdiction.
　　As summer evenings descend, the community’s bustling night market springs to life, filled with young people seeking food and relaxation. Amid the cheerful crowds, Officer Weng remains ever-vigilant, weaving his way through the stalls, watchful yet friendly. "Enjoy yourselves, but don’t cause trouble," he says with a characteristic smile. His steady presence has yielded remarkable results: since the market’s opening, not a single police incident has been reported.
　　"I always wear my uniform when I go out on patrol," Officer Weng explains. "At dawn, I check whether the curtains are open in the homes of elderly residents living alone; by nightfall, I check whether the lights are off. These are two simple but reliable signs of their wellbeing. After ensuring students leave their evening study sessions safely, I head over to the night market for my final rounds…"
　　From dawn to dusk, Officer Weng Honghua patrols every part of the residential complex. His constant presence, coupled with steadfast and sincere dedication, has become the cornerstone of the neighborhood’s safety.■
　　
　　(Translated by Chen Xiaoying, School of Foreign Languages, Beijing Forestry University)