Security tightened at Downtown East
Police increase patrols at popular retreat after murder of teenager
By Mavis Toh & Teh Joo Lin
Police have stepped up patrols at Downtown East following the fatal hacking of student Darren Ng, 19. Members of Parliament for the area raised security concerns after receiving feedback from parents worried about the safety of their children. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
POLICE have increased their presence at Downtown East and the surrounding neighbourhood, following the fatal hacking of a 19-year-old polytechnic student there 10 days ago.
Police spokesman Lau Kian Keong said in response to queries yesterday that the police 'have been conducting regular patrols in the area and have stepped up patrols following the incident'.
The area's Members of Parliament are also concerned. Dr Ahmad Magad, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said he and fellow MP Teo Chee Hean, who is Deputy Prime Minister, have asked the police to intensify patrols and to be particularly on the lookout for people behaving in a suspicious manner. They have also raised the issue of beefing up security with Downtown East's management.
When contacted, the management said it was working closely with the authorities on security measures. It has also stepped up its security presence to deal with the bigger crowds that are expected during the year-end school holidays and festivities.
On Oct 30, student Darren Ng, 19, and three friends were chased by chopper-wielding men in front of passers-by. Darren was hacked to death, while his friends escaped with minor injuries. Four men have been charged with his murder.
Dr Magad pointed out that the incident was an isolated one, and that the neighbourhood was peaceful.
He said: 'The murder is clearly shocking to everyone and has shaken the local community a bit.'
The two MPs received feedback from concerned parents expressing shock and concern for the safety of their children who hang out there with their friends.
One issue raised was the level of security at Downtown East, as most of the security officers appeared to be deployed to manage traffic instead of performing security duties on weekends.
The entertainment hub at Pasir Ris Close opened in 1988 and was called NTUC Pasir Ris Resort. In 2000, it was renamed Downtown East after upgrading works. It houses 360 chalets, a stretch of shops, eateries and theme parks, and is popular with families and the young.
When The Straits Times visited yesterday afternoon, four uniformed police officers were seen making their rounds.
At least three of the complex's own security officers were standing guard near the function venue D'Marquee, where the fight between the two groups of youths erupted two weeks ago. Three other officers were patrolling the compound.
Mobile phone accessories saleswoman Sherry Ler, 31, said police can now be seen patrolling the area up to three times a day. They were previously unseen.
Shop assistant Jessica Lai, 50, said it was not uncommon for groups of rowdy young men to get into minor fights.
The Straits Times understands that security officers have had to deal mostly with late-night petty fights and quarrels between residents of the chalets, often over noise problems. Such disputes rarely turn ugly, although in one case last year, a man called the police after he was allegedly charged at with a 12cm-long knife. This happened after he complained to a group of youths at a nearby barbecue pit about the noise they were making.
Darren's murder is believed to be gang-related. Two gang names - 369 and 'Fong Hong San', a group believed to be active in Pasir Ris - were said to have been uttered during the fight.
A sales promoter who wanted to be known only as Jonathan said he has seen gangsters hanging out at the pool hall. Quarrels have escalated into fights, although not necessarily at Downtown East itself.
'They head to the multi-storey carpark here when they have something to settle - each group with about 10 to 20 people,' he said.
'Talks' have also taken place at the void decks of nearby housing blocks.
However, the crowds are still turning up despite the killing. Ms Ler said: 'With more security, we all feel safe.'
Dr Magad said visitors should enjoy themselves even as they remain alert and avoid unnecessary trouble, such as staring incidents.
Housewife Lily Ng, 41, said she was going to stay at the chalets with her two children. 'I am not worried because it could have happened anywhere. We will still continue our family tradition of going there every year,' she said.
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Police increase patrols at popular retreat after murder of teenager
By Mavis Toh & Teh Joo Lin
Police have stepped up patrols at Downtown East following the fatal hacking of student Darren Ng, 19. Members of Parliament for the area raised security concerns after receiving feedback from parents worried about the safety of their children. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
POLICE have increased their presence at Downtown East and the surrounding neighbourhood, following the fatal hacking of a 19-year-old polytechnic student there 10 days ago.
Police spokesman Lau Kian Keong said in response to queries yesterday that the police 'have been conducting regular patrols in the area and have stepped up patrols following the incident'.
The area's Members of Parliament are also concerned. Dr Ahmad Magad, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said he and fellow MP Teo Chee Hean, who is Deputy Prime Minister, have asked the police to intensify patrols and to be particularly on the lookout for people behaving in a suspicious manner. They have also raised the issue of beefing up security with Downtown East's management.
When contacted, the management said it was working closely with the authorities on security measures. It has also stepped up its security presence to deal with the bigger crowds that are expected during the year-end school holidays and festivities.
On Oct 30, student Darren Ng, 19, and three friends were chased by chopper-wielding men in front of passers-by. Darren was hacked to death, while his friends escaped with minor injuries. Four men have been charged with his murder.
Dr Magad pointed out that the incident was an isolated one, and that the neighbourhood was peaceful.
He said: 'The murder is clearly shocking to everyone and has shaken the local community a bit.'
The two MPs received feedback from concerned parents expressing shock and concern for the safety of their children who hang out there with their friends.
One issue raised was the level of security at Downtown East, as most of the security officers appeared to be deployed to manage traffic instead of performing security duties on weekends.
The entertainment hub at Pasir Ris Close opened in 1988 and was called NTUC Pasir Ris Resort. In 2000, it was renamed Downtown East after upgrading works. It houses 360 chalets, a stretch of shops, eateries and theme parks, and is popular with families and the young.
When The Straits Times visited yesterday afternoon, four uniformed police officers were seen making their rounds.
At least three of the complex's own security officers were standing guard near the function venue D'Marquee, where the fight between the two groups of youths erupted two weeks ago. Three other officers were patrolling the compound.
Mobile phone accessories saleswoman Sherry Ler, 31, said police can now be seen patrolling the area up to three times a day. They were previously unseen.
Shop assistant Jessica Lai, 50, said it was not uncommon for groups of rowdy young men to get into minor fights.
The Straits Times understands that security officers have had to deal mostly with late-night petty fights and quarrels between residents of the chalets, often over noise problems. Such disputes rarely turn ugly, although in one case last year, a man called the police after he was allegedly charged at with a 12cm-long knife. This happened after he complained to a group of youths at a nearby barbecue pit about the noise they were making.
Darren's murder is believed to be gang-related. Two gang names - 369 and 'Fong Hong San', a group believed to be active in Pasir Ris - were said to have been uttered during the fight.
A sales promoter who wanted to be known only as Jonathan said he has seen gangsters hanging out at the pool hall. Quarrels have escalated into fights, although not necessarily at Downtown East itself.
'They head to the multi-storey carpark here when they have something to settle - each group with about 10 to 20 people,' he said.
'Talks' have also taken place at the void decks of nearby housing blocks.
However, the crowds are still turning up despite the killing. Ms Ler said: 'With more security, we all feel safe.'
Dr Magad said visitors should enjoy themselves even as they remain alert and avoid unnecessary trouble, such as staring incidents.
Housewife Lily Ng, 41, said she was going to stay at the chalets with her two children. 'I am not worried because it could have happened anywhere. We will still continue our family tradition of going there every year,' she said.
[email protected]
[email protected]
