随着2008年奥运会的临近，北京警方也将严阵以待，确保赛会期间的公共安全。目前，已在一些重点区域和人口密集区采取了24小时巡逻和防控，以报案和110报警信息来指导警力部署，对犯罪行为采取有针对性的精确打击。同时，对一些重要的金融部门以及高校周边地区提高防护措施。

A Chinese public security official on Tuesday promised that Beijing would provide a sound and safe environment for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The capabilities¹ of Beijing police have improved markedly, said Yu Xinmin, an official of the Ministry² of Public Security.

Last year, 89.4 percent of criminal cases resulting in deaths were solved by Beijing police, the best achievement on record, Yu told a press conference.

Ministry spokesman Wu Heping said, "Beijing police are conscious of their special responsibility and have been working round the clock to fight crime in order to provide a safe Olympics."

Beijing police have launched 24-hour patrols in key areas and populous³ venues⁴, and tightened⁵ security measures in financial departments and higher education institutions.

Information collected from the public and from the 110 emergency helpline has been used to direct police to crime locations, said Wu.

Vocabulary :

round the clock: 昼夜不停地，毫不松懈地

populous venues: 人口密集区

helpline: 热线服务电话