Wang Xiumei leaned against the iron gate of Hongxialu community at noon on Wednesday. Her dog lay at her feet in the shadows, panting from the heat, but Wang's eyes were fixed on people coming in and out of the community.

sniffer dog recruited for safeguarding the Olympics

Wang, 65, is one of Hongxialu community's 288 security volunteers who offered to maintain order in the community and enforce public hygiene in their neighborhood.

"Most of us 288 volunteers are citizens above 50 years old in the neighborhood. We work a two-hour shift at a different location every day," said Wang, pointing to her red armband and Olympic-rings-shaped badge, which read "Olympic security volunteer".

"Mostly, we just watch for strangers who enter the community and report to the police if we find anyone suspicious. We can't fight crime, but the presence of such patrols could scare troublemakers off. It's the least I can do to contribute to a safe Olympics," she said.

With the Games set to open in 15 days, safety has become China's No.1 issue, and the public has also gradually shifted its focus from the "best Games in history" to the more pragmatic "safe Games".

"A safe Olympics is the premise for a first-class Games with Chinese characteristics. Safety is our top concern here," Vice President Xi Jinping said on Monday during a visit to the Games' command center and several event venues.

It was the second time for Xi to stress safety, following his call on July 15 in Qinghuangdao of northern China's Hebei Province that Olympic venues outside Beijing should give priority to safety.