'Red hat' residents patrol Beijing streets during parade

Beijing has mobilized 850,000 residents to serve as volunteers and another 400,000 as traffic wardens to help police ensure security during commemorations of the end of World War II. [Photo/People's Daily]

Beijing has mobilized 850,000 residents to serve as volunteers and another 400,000 as traffic wardens to help police ensure security during commemorations of the end of World War II.

Volunteers wearing red hats and red armbands could be seen sitting on camp chairs at every 100-meter-section of the North Road of the East 3rd Ring in Chaoyang district on Monday.

A captain surnamed Wang of a patrol team formed by residents of the Hujialou community told reporters that most of his team members are over 40 years old, and the oldest is 84.

Enthusiasm makes us observant and alert in patrolling, despite our age, he added.

Sun, a senior of the team, said he felt proud and glad to contribute to the parade.

Another member named Li said he has been responsible for patrolling at night, helping armed police and special police maintain order.

A spokesman with the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau said the volunteers are well trained and come from all walks of life and all districts of the city.

They will be dispatched to "every street, every hutong (alley)," as well as stores and markets. If they find any suggestion of "security hazards," they will report it to police.