Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information & The Arts, #36-00, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963, Tel: 3757794/5

SPEECH BY MR WONG KAN SENG, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS, AT THE CRIME PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ON 16 NOVEMBER 1996, AT 11.30 AM, AT PARCO BUGIS JUNCTION, VICTORIA STREET

A recent Fortune magazine survey among high-ranking executives worldwide rated Singapore as the best city to live in - after Toronto and London - because, among other important features, we have a low crime rate. Fortune magazine commented that Singapore is "....an exceptionally pleasant place to do business in and to raise a family".

Fortune magazine also made the observation that "Singapore runs like clockwork under the watchful eyes of a Government which leaves nothing to chance". Certainly, progress and development do not happen by chance. Correct policies need to be instituted before good results can be obtained. This is true also if we want a stable environment and good law and order. Singaporeans simply cannot afford to take chances with matters as important as law and order. We constantly anticipate problems in order to stay on top of them. Despite the low crime rate, we will not ease up in our fight against crime.

Crimes in Singapore fell by 0.2% during the first nine months of this year, continuing the declining crime trend for seven years. Our goal is to have low crime rates. Let us therefore not be complacent and take to heart this year's campaign slogan: Low Crime Doesn't Mean No Crime.

Crime Prevention is a key policing strategy. It has been effective because the community fully supports it. Grassroots bodies and the private sector enthusiastically responded to the many community-based programmes spearheaded by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Police. For example, many shopping, commercial and industrial complexes have formed their own Crime Prevention Committees, which number 148 today. The strong bond between the community and the Police is one of our greatest assets in our fight against crime. It sets us apart from some other jurisdictions where there is deep distrust between citizens and the Police.

We have spared no effort to secure community support and co-operation.. The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (NWS) was introduced in 1981. Under the scheme, a few households located on the same floor of a block formed a Neighbourhood Watch Group. These groups were organised and supported by Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) Officers.

The Police recently concluded that the NWS objectives can be better achieved if led by grassroots leaders rather than Police Officers. NWS groups will be gradually reorganised into Neighbourhood Watch Zones, which will be an integral part of the Residents' Committee (RC) structure led by the RC Zone Chairman.. RCs are the Police's ideal partners in combatting crime because of their ability to marshal community support and resources. The new scheme will not mean a reduced Police presence in housing estates. Neighbourhood Police Post Officers will continue to work with RCs to address neighbourhood law and order concerns. I expect that Neighbourhood Watch Zones will not only give RC members a more important role in the community; it will also give residents a greater sense of security, participation and stake in the community, in line with the Government's objective to devolve more responsibility to the community.

Pilot NWZs will be formed in selected RCs early next year. When teething problems have been sorted out, NWZs will be extended to all 456 RC Zones.

There is no acute crime problem in the housing estates - the Neighbourhood Watch Zone scheme is merely a pro-active and pre-emptive measure. A strong Community-Police bond is our best guarantee that crimes will remain low for many years to come.

I thank the community, especially the grassroots organisations, and the National Crime Prevention Council for helping to make Singapore safe, and a great place to live and work in. I take great pleasure now to officially launch the Festive Season Crime Prevention Campaign.