Two "electronic police officers" containing video cameras will be used to patrol a bridge in northeast China's Jilin Province from which more than 20 people commit suicide each year.

In an effort to curb the number of suicides from a bridge, a technician installs fittings to two "electronic police" officers in Jilin province on June 26, 2007.

 
Jilin News reports authorities think the steel machines, painted to resemble a male and a female police officer, could discourage troubled people from jumping from Nanhu Bridge.
 
The Jilin branch of China Netcom has given 100,000 yuan to install two CCTV cameras and the first two "electronic police officers" along the structure.

Each metal officer can spin around 360 degrees and has a special base meant to thwart would-be thieves or vandals. Reflector belts will provide identification at night.

The male machine stands 2 meters tall, the female 1.8 meters. They contain alarms, pinhole cameras and speakers so human police can communicate with people planning to suicide.

(CRIENGLISH.com June 28, 2007)