Singapore Government Press Release
SPEECH BY MR OTHMAN HARON EUSOFE,
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MANPOWER
AND MP FOR MARINE PARADE GRC,
AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE
GEYLANG NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE CENTRE
ON SUNDAY, 15 JULY 2001 AT 10.30 A.M.
Distinguished Guests,
Grassroots Leaders,
Residents,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you in this ceremony to open the Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC). I am happy to see so many community leaders here today to grace the official opening. It shows the close partnership the police has built with the community over the years.
Geylang NPC was one of the 7 NPCs launched in Bedok Police Division in December last year. This NPC, which has a total of 6 Neighbourhood Police Posts (or NPPs), serves more than 120,000 residents of Geylang West, Geylang Serai, Joo Chiat, Macpherson, and Kampung Ubi constituencies.
The NPC System
Let me take this opportunity to give a brief description of the NPC system which was first piloted in Clementi Police Division four years ago. Essentially, it is a one-stop, round-the-clock, total policing centre, with better trained officers to handle the entire policing service process. This system will facilitate flexibility in manpower deployment and allow enhancement of police coverage, especially in crime-prone areas. There will be an increase in police presence which will significantly improve response time to calls for assistance.
Another important aspect of the NPC system is the enhanced community-police liaison. Groups of NPC officers take direct ownership of the precincts under their respective charge. These officers maintain close links with the members of the Community Development Council (CDC), grassroots leaders in the Citizens Consultative Committees (CCCs), Residents’ Committees (RCs), Neighbourhood Committees (NCs), the schools and other public service agencies.
As the NPC is a one-stop police service point it will enhance service standards. To recapitulate, the NPC system will provide residents with an enhanced police service namely faster police response time, increase police presence and stronger partnership with the community.
Community Safety and Security Programme
The NPC officers will work with grassroots and community leaders to develop the Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP) to address the community security concerns. Allow me to share with you what CSSP is all about. The CSSP is a major initiative of the Home Team, the People’s Association and the Community Development Councils to jointly engage and mobilise the community to share responsibility for its safety and security needs. The CSSP’s proactive self-help approach allows the community to address the safety and security concerns of the neighbourhood in a more structured, focused and co-ordinated manner. Grassroots organisations, residents and the Home Team work together to create a safer and more secure neighbourhood.
The CSSP approach is in line with one of the key principles of the Singapore 21 Vision – that of `Active Citizenship’. To realise the Singapore 21 Vision, Singaporeans are encouraged to actively contribute their ideas, time and energy to build a thriving Singapore. By active participation in the CSSP, the residents have the opportunity to take an active lead in driving programmes and activities to improve the safety and security of their neighbourhood.
Let me share with you 2 successful CSSP initiatives which benefited the community and demonstrated the benefit of close partnership between the Home Team and the community. The first example occurred after the fire in Eunos Market. CSSP activities like Fire Safety Exhibitions, house visits, and sale of fire extinguishers were organised by the Kampong Ubi CDEC to create awareness among the residents and stall-holders on fire safety and management. A make-shift market was also constructed at Blk 10/11 basketball courts to assist the stall-holders
whose lives were greatly affected by the fire. The precautionary measures taken as a result of the CSSP initiative can help prevent future fire incidents. In the unfortunate event that they do occur, the community leaders and residents would know how to deal with them effectively.The conversion of Crane Road into a 2-way street, was also a result of a CSSP initiative. During the Geylang Serai RC CSSP group meeting, residents highlighted the problem of safety as a result of motorists travelling into the Haig Road estate from Crane Road, against a No Entry sign. Through brainstorming, and meeting with various other governmental organisations, it was agreed that the better solution would be to convert Crane Road and the access road into the estate into a 2-way street system. The CSSP working committee took ownership of the need to work actively on the problem of road safety in Haig Road estate and help to identify a viable solution which meets the community’s needs. The initiative benefits the residents of the estate as road safety is enhanced.
I am confident that the grassroots and the residents residing within the jurisdiction of the Geylang NPC will work closely with its NPC officers, to further the goals of community policing by leveraging on the CSSP.
I would like to commend the officers of Geylang NPC for their hard work and determination in keeping the crime rate in this area low, and also for fostering excellent police-community relations. I am confident that the police and the community will work in partnership to make Singapore a safer and more secure home for all. This strong partnership will strongly deter potential criminals in the area covered under the Geylang NPC.
It now gives me great pleasure to declare Geylang NPC open. I wish all officers at Geylang NPC and everyone here good health and more success in all your endeavors. Thank you.