Now why would anyone compromise their own dignity and get insulted in public just to receive a paycheck from the govt.? Where are your basic human principles?
SLEEPERS' CORNER
Park rangers also face litterbugs, amorous couples and 'aggressive' park users
By Lediati Tan
October 31, 2008
THEY'RE verbally abused almost every day, and get called nasty names like 'government dogs'.
LUNCH TIME NAP: NPark rangers Hasnah Ibrahim and Shahrizal Sidi patrol Changi Beach Park, walking past two park users resting in a shelter. TNP PICTURES: KELVIN CHNG
Sometimes, they are even threatened with bodily harm.
And all that, just because they're trying to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for everyone.
Indeed, the job of a park ranger is no walk in the park.
A team from The New Paper found that out when we followed two National Parks Board (NParks) rangers, Mr Shahrizal Sidi and Ms Hasnah Ibrahim, on their patrols at Changi Beach Park last week.
The two are among 18 NParks rangers who work in more than 300 parks and green spaces here.
One of the biggest problems, they said, is that park users can turn aggressive when they are caught flouting park regulations.
Ms Hasnah, 37, a park ranger for almost 10 years, said: 'We try to talk to them nicely, but they can be very aggressive and use bad words on us.
'We have even been threatened with glass bottles and wooden shafts. But if they become too aggressive, we call the police for help.'
But not all park offenders are confrontational. Some try to run when approached, said Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal, 31, who has also been a ranger for about 10 years.
Once, a couple was caught making out in a toilet cubicle for the disabled at Bukit Batok Nature Park. They tried to escape by climbing out of a high window but could not.
Another time, a man was almost hit by a bicycle while running away from park rangers who had caught him littering in East Coast Park. He later fell after tripping over a safety rope.
Fear
Indeed, the sight of rangers appears to strike fear in some park users.
When we were with Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal, some workers who were resting in shelters during their lunch hour sat up as soon as they saw the pair approaching.
Ms Hasnah said: 'We usually leave genuine park users alone unless they cause inconvenience to others.'
She and Mr Shahrizal insist park rangers do not go out of their way to fine errant park users.
Two weeks ago, this paper had run a report about a man who was fined $200 for sleeping on a park bench while he was taking shelter from the rain. Many readers said NParks had been overly harsh.
Ms Hasnah said: 'The most important thing is to maintain the safety and security of park users and ensure that parks are clean and enjoyable.'
The rangers said the most common offences in parks are littering and squatting.
NParks said that more than 2,600 people have been fined for littering this year, while about 60 squatters are believed to be staying in parks.
Squatting, in particular, is a big problem for park rangers. Ms Hasnah said: 'Too many squatters deter genuine park users from enjoying park facilities.'
Experience helps rangers to weed out the squatters from the genuine park users.
Ms Hasnah said: 'Parks in the east tend to see more squatters as there are more parks near to one another. The conducive environment of being near the sea also attracts them.
'They usually come as a family and often stay at a certain spot. We will then make a record of it and observe them. We also educate them on the dos and don'ts in parks.'
If they need help and have nowhere to go, the rangers refer them to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said Ms Hasnah.
'We don't fine them. We usually just leave them alone unless they commit an offence like littering or disturbing others.'
But even after they get help, some squatters keep going back to the parks. It is only then that the rangers ask them to leave.
Ms Hasnah said: 'Some will take their time to pack to test our patience.'
Little they can do
But sometimes, there's little the rangers can do to chase away stubborn squatters who claim they have nowhere else to go.
Ms Hasnah said: 'As long as they don't pose problems to others or commit an offence, we just monitor them.
'We always try to talk to them first. Enforcement action is our last resort. That is taken immediately only for acts like littering, poaching of protected animals and feeding of monkeys.
'For minor offences, we advise people to follow the rules and regulations and tell them not to do it next time.'
Despite the challenges, Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal are in no hurry to throw in the towel.
Ms Hasnah said that having 'a passion for parks and meeting people' keeps her going.
As for Mr Shahrizal, he said: 'If we face something difficult today, it makes us stronger.'
SLEEPERS' CORNER
Park rangers also face litterbugs, amorous couples and 'aggressive' park users
By Lediati Tan
October 31, 2008
THEY'RE verbally abused almost every day, and get called nasty names like 'government dogs'.
LUNCH TIME NAP: NPark rangers Hasnah Ibrahim and Shahrizal Sidi patrol Changi Beach Park, walking past two park users resting in a shelter. TNP PICTURES: KELVIN CHNG
Sometimes, they are even threatened with bodily harm.
And all that, just because they're trying to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for everyone.
Indeed, the job of a park ranger is no walk in the park.
A team from The New Paper found that out when we followed two National Parks Board (NParks) rangers, Mr Shahrizal Sidi and Ms Hasnah Ibrahim, on their patrols at Changi Beach Park last week.
The two are among 18 NParks rangers who work in more than 300 parks and green spaces here.
One of the biggest problems, they said, is that park users can turn aggressive when they are caught flouting park regulations.
Ms Hasnah, 37, a park ranger for almost 10 years, said: 'We try to talk to them nicely, but they can be very aggressive and use bad words on us.
'We have even been threatened with glass bottles and wooden shafts. But if they become too aggressive, we call the police for help.'
But not all park offenders are confrontational. Some try to run when approached, said Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal, 31, who has also been a ranger for about 10 years.
Once, a couple was caught making out in a toilet cubicle for the disabled at Bukit Batok Nature Park. They tried to escape by climbing out of a high window but could not.
Another time, a man was almost hit by a bicycle while running away from park rangers who had caught him littering in East Coast Park. He later fell after tripping over a safety rope.
Fear
Indeed, the sight of rangers appears to strike fear in some park users.
When we were with Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal, some workers who were resting in shelters during their lunch hour sat up as soon as they saw the pair approaching.
Ms Hasnah said: 'We usually leave genuine park users alone unless they cause inconvenience to others.'
She and Mr Shahrizal insist park rangers do not go out of their way to fine errant park users.
Two weeks ago, this paper had run a report about a man who was fined $200 for sleeping on a park bench while he was taking shelter from the rain. Many readers said NParks had been overly harsh.
Ms Hasnah said: 'The most important thing is to maintain the safety and security of park users and ensure that parks are clean and enjoyable.'
The rangers said the most common offences in parks are littering and squatting.
NParks said that more than 2,600 people have been fined for littering this year, while about 60 squatters are believed to be staying in parks.
Squatting, in particular, is a big problem for park rangers. Ms Hasnah said: 'Too many squatters deter genuine park users from enjoying park facilities.'
Experience helps rangers to weed out the squatters from the genuine park users.
Ms Hasnah said: 'Parks in the east tend to see more squatters as there are more parks near to one another. The conducive environment of being near the sea also attracts them.
'They usually come as a family and often stay at a certain spot. We will then make a record of it and observe them. We also educate them on the dos and don'ts in parks.'
If they need help and have nowhere to go, the rangers refer them to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said Ms Hasnah.
'We don't fine them. We usually just leave them alone unless they commit an offence like littering or disturbing others.'
But even after they get help, some squatters keep going back to the parks. It is only then that the rangers ask them to leave.
Ms Hasnah said: 'Some will take their time to pack to test our patience.'
Little they can do
But sometimes, there's little the rangers can do to chase away stubborn squatters who claim they have nowhere else to go.
Ms Hasnah said: 'As long as they don't pose problems to others or commit an offence, we just monitor them.
'We always try to talk to them first. Enforcement action is our last resort. That is taken immediately only for acts like littering, poaching of protected animals and feeding of monkeys.
'For minor offences, we advise people to follow the rules and regulations and tell them not to do it next time.'
Despite the challenges, Ms Hasnah and Mr Shahrizal are in no hurry to throw in the towel.
Ms Hasnah said that having 'a passion for parks and meeting people' keeps her going.
As for Mr Shahrizal, he said: 'If we face something difficult today, it makes us stronger.'
Last edited:
