Citizen patrols to deter loan sharks

[hokkien]

Monday, Nov 05, 2012
SINGAPORE - Citizen-on-patrol groups to deter loan sharks were instituted yesterday in what may be the first concerted estate-wide effort here.

The community policing initiative, launched by the Sembawang-Nee Soon Town Council, now involves 188 residents from 13 residents' committees who will work in groups.

But Deputy Assistant Commissioner Keok Tong San, the commander of the Ang Mo Kio Police Division Headquarters, hopes to see more participation.

During the launch at the Jelutung Community Club theatrette in Sembawang on Friday, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, an MP for Nee Soon GRC, said: "To enhance the effectiveness of the police force, in fact, the community must come in. The police can't be patrolling every single block for 24 hours.

"But with all the eyes and ears of the residents, the police will amplify their surveillance to know what is going on in the estate."

The patrols last two hours and while most groups will operate once a month, some groups will carry out the patrols more often.

During the patrols, groups of between five and 15 people will usually be accompanied by a police officer. They will walk the grounds of estates, identifying suspicious items or people based on tell-tale signs.

They have been told not to directly engage anyone, but to contact the police instead, if they are not accompanied by an officer.

The groups will also make occasional door-to-door visits to hand out crime advisories to the residents.

Speaking on loan sharks, DAC Keok said: "By their indiscriminate acts of vandalism, your physical environment in the neighbourhood is stained. By their threats and lawless acts, families are traumatised."

But both Dr Lim and DAC Keok emphasised that the problem of loan sharks is not severe in the estates.

Rather, it is an issue that provides a galvanising focus to rally more people to clamp down on crime in general.

Civil servant S. Arumugam, 34, joined the group because he feels it is part of his civic duty.

He said: "As citizens, we should do our part to deter these bad apples."

 

[hokkien]

most groups will operate once a month

Ah long runner also come once a month?

 

[halsey02]

They should call "de su sa"...he is the best...the loan sharks will run away from him...One will do, no need so many groups!..Sembawang must be infested with Loan sharks...must be a lot of 'rotten residents'..."guess what______"... ha ha ha

 

[Agoraphobic]

If the criminal organisation is worth anything, they will infiltrate these vigilante groups and uncover their operational schedules.

Cheers!

 

[GoldenDragon]

I think that is not necessary. What are the chances of both parties 'meeting' each other? Almost zero. When the ah long runners strike, these citizens would be sleeping.

 

[halsey02]

I think that is not necessary. What are the chances of both parties 'meeting' each other? Almost zero. When the ah long runners strike, these citizens would be sleeping.

The mata are sleeping, I don't see any patrol cars these days or even on bicycle like last time or foot patrol? The Mata gets pay increase, the residents do work for them...very funny!:p

 

[Cruxx]

The mata are sleeping, I don't see any patrol cars these days or even on bicycle like last time or foot patrol? The Mata gets pay increase, the residents do work for them...very funny!:p

Singaporeans are very self-reliant ok!

 

[mojito]

Singaporeans are very self-reliant ok!

One day the vigilantes might just administer the death penalty. The PAP should be alarmed at this development!

 

[blur sotong]

Just wonder how many volunteers will remain in that patrol group after say 3 months. :*:

 

[blur sotong]

The mata are sleeping, I don't see any patrol cars these days or even on bicycle like last time or foot patrol? The Mata gets pay increase, the residents do work for them...very funny!:p

Bro halsey02, tai chi masters at work.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Just wonder how many volunteers will remain in that patrol group after say 3 months. :*:

Good question. Many of these initiatives start with a big bang. I predict a natural death after 6 mths.

Pray hard no one gets hurt when doing their rounds. Desperate ah long runners will do almost anything and everything to avoid arrest and draconian penalties.