As an addendum to my previous posts, should even anyone bothered to read it, the insignificant nobody me believe that there may be some whom may take philosophical issues over 'to be reactive or proactive' over the concerns of thefts.
Me too believe it is better to be proactive than to be reactive, as prevention is better than cure.
However, based upon studies carried out since 911, discriminatory Profiling was deemed an effective measure. However, the reality is that only out of hundred thousands of such efforts, there were only a handful that could be counted as success, but the brickbats were FAR more, as it is often discriminatory in nature...
Let's take the case of this issue on local shores - SPF, military soldiers, unarmed militias patrolling the streets would simply stop ANYONE who looks Chinese, starts to ask for IDs & even check their vehicles. Imagine the legitimate Grab driver who is waiting for his client, the property agent waiting for his clients to show up, the service crews rushing for repair jobs, etc. They would be held up for a time, with opportunities & productivity lost....not to mention the angst they would feel being treated like a criminal...
A BETTER form of PROACTIVE measures lays within the silent world of INTELLIGENCE service. It would need better funding, recruitment of officers whom not only have the paper qualifications, but the mind, heart & courage to perform such roles which would most likely go unnoticed & thus little glory to be attained except to the leaders of Nations.
As a wise man who lived in 600 BC said - know yourself, know your opponent, a thousand battles fought, a thousand won, which is a TRUISM for every aspect of life, from military, to medical, to even personal relationships relevant even today.
Thus OBTAINED intelligence is crucial in the battle against the dark side. It can come in many form, thru oneself research & sanctioned operations, thru informers, thru Human, electronic Technologies, & many more which will never be revealed in public to peaceful Humankind whom need not know such methods in order to have a peaceful life & have a good night sleep. It is the criminals whom will need to worry, as crime does not & will not pay.
With the visa free entitlement, it works BOTH ways, for Singapore & China, & thus the opportunities to SHARE not just trade opportunities but even critical INTELLIGENCE, work together & prevent crimes, not just in Singapore, but in the region & China, as crime orgs would & had evolved, never under-estimate them, & thus a need to a step ahead, & bring about Intelligence Service 2.0.