Community Patrols Roll Out‑to Guard Trains from Taboos
Who’s on the job? The new brigade comes straight from the Citizens on Patrol (COP) volunteers who usually roam parks and playgrounds. Now, in groups of seven, they’ll be eye‑punching train stations, spotting odd vibes, and handing out flyers that say, “Hey, have you seen a molester around?”
Why the new watch‑tower?
- Public‑transport molestation surged 43.8 % in the first half of this year—105 cases versus 73 last year.
- All‑over molestation incidents climb 21.5 % to 832 from 685.
- Overall crime rose 3.2 % to 16,460 offences.
Top frauds like e‑commerce scams, loan tricks and impersonation scams jumped a colossal 72.8 % to 1,823 cases.
Police view
Deputy Commissioner Florence Chua chimes in: “Community help is vital. We reckon a vigilant crowd can thin out crime.”
Senior Assistant Commissioner How Kwang Hwee stews: “More joint work with the community is our pledge. Offenders will face the law as hard as snowballs.”
How the pilot hit the rails
On 13 Aug, a Queenstown COP crew patrolled the Mei Ling Zone MRT station. The plan: deploy 700+ COP squads across the island—once a month in every station.
Voices from the frontline
Mr Terence Lim (43, season‑ed COP volunteer) says, “We’re putting our boots on to keep the city safe. If you see a molester, confront the staff—use that station intercom.”
He swears that the distinct COP vests act as a visual warning to nasties.
Nightclub crackdown follows
Public entertainment nightspots saw a 37 % rise in molestation cases: 63 vs 46. Police intend to run an awareness drive to arm club‑goers with protection tactics.
What a victim‑turned‑advocate says
Soh Qiao Ying (23) opens up about a 16‑year‑old incident where a follower touched her in a lift from Yew Tee MRT. She remembers screaming loudly “so loud it woke the whole MRT!” The warden caught the culprit, and she now keeps a pincer‑frame attitude—e.g., staying away from lifts and moving to a friend‑safe corner when clubbing.
She lauds the new patrols: “Some people suffer in silence because nothing’s available to ask for help. Now they might find a volunteer to call out.”
Closing notes
Police officials plan that each patrol will dog‑track suspicious moves, share crime‑prevention pamphlets, and keep an eye on both commuters and night‑out crowds. The hope? A community that is as alert as a hawk—minus the feathers—and a city that doesn’t let shenanigans slide.
