Singapore a safe country.?.?

[Jaslyn]

Since a small kid I was hearing people praising my country a safe place to live.During the past few yrs,I seem to notice the crime rate crawling up the scale,and I certainly not talking about hit and run or pick pocket.

In today's straits time,it reported that an odd job labour was stabbed while he was chatting with his wife and toddler,in the open eyes of many other peoples around.

Few yrs back,when we were discussing about better places to bring up kids.I was always proud of my own country,considering it safe and cultured.Once I commented if I would to live in country like USA,I would be constantly worried about being gunned down when filling up petrol or kids get killed during those shooting rampage in school.....

an asian friend living all her life in NY told me this.USA is a very big country, countless times bigger than Singapore,that is why we feels Singapore is a safer country as its small and its easier for the govt to manage it and the crime rate seems uncomparable to those happening in the USA.If we would to compare SIngapore the same size as USA,we would be seeing the problems American are facing,or might be even worst.

Fellow reefers,whats your comment?

[cyclop]

The fact remains that the size of S'pore will never be much bigger, so there is no way it's going to be like USA. Yes, the crime rate is "crawling up the scale", but it's inevitable as life and people becomes more complex. In Percentage terms it should be much higher in Singapore because of our small population.

The case of the "odd job labour who was stabbed while he was chatting with his wife and toddler,in the open eyes of many other peoples around". is an isolated one and we don't really know the motive or cause of the killing - definitely not for nothing.

I understand that many many years back when gangsters were "kings" in S'pore -there were very frequent and rampant "gang fights and killings" and lot's of unrests. Now such things are almost unheard of.

I personally feel that S'pore is still a very safe place provide, of course, that we don't take our safety and security for granted and let our guards down.

When I went to USA I had to remind myself of a list of "don't". Going to some other neighbouring countries I have to wary of many things and be extra alert because anything unexpected can happen anytime and anywhere. In Singapore I feel very safe as long as I am not careless enough to allow myself to be a "victim" of any potential criminal.

Once I saw a lady tourist sitting by the side of a shopping mall along Orchard Road relaxing herself with her hand bag placed infront of her,. In other countries that would be the silliest thing to do because her handbag could have been snatched away right under her very own eyes.

[damien]

SG is safe enough not to be mugged or gun down in a back alley.

But, knowing this is SG and our newspapers, statistics may not be very accurate and reflect other types of crimes....

[zehuan]

I believe it is the effort of the government to establish Singapore as a crime safe city but even then there are still crimes committed but alot less in comparison with other countries in the region.

As Bro Cyclop mention, stabbing in the public is quite an isolated case that u cant see everyday. This is the outcome of the tough enforcement and penalty impose by the goverment telling people, look, if u commit a crime and if u are caught, the outcome is not going to be good to u.

I agree with the point saying that Singapore is a small country so that it is easier to manage. If u committed a crime, there are only so far that u can run and hid.

I have been to big cities like Sydney and Bangkok and I have heard that there are some part of the town that u should no be wandering about at night. In Singapore, I would feel quite safe if I took a bus back home at 12 midnight and walk on the street. It is the kind of assurance that you are safe that you cannot find in any other part of the world.

This is especially so if u are watching your kids growing up, security would be the last thing u would want to be bothered with everyday. (Imaging sending your kids to school telling them:"take care and if some kid started shooting in school, u find a good place to hid ok?")

cheers

[Nic a Jon]

Singapore is definately safer and has lower crime rate than a lot of other cities.

Remember about 7/8 years when I was at a cafe in a train station in Milan, I saw a a group of youths stole a bag from a tourist waiting to board a train in bright daylight. And she doesnt even know her bag disappeared till its time to board the train. Then the youth who preyed on her was back looking for the next victim within the next 10 min.

When i was in Rome, the cab driver cheated me of US$100 ....using some trickery. .

I dont think you will find this happening in Singapore...its definately not our culture.

[Jaslyn]

we all feel safer in Singapore,even me too but could it be cos we were borned and grow up here?

When I was in Australia last couple of yrs.Was amused to find a can next to the petrol kiosk in the suburb area.The guide told us its for honesty practice.People who fill up petrol will put in the payment into the can.Although we didnt see anyone doing that when we were there.

[cyclop]

Undoubtedly, S'pore is a very safe place compared to many other cities/countries.

At the same time, there are also lots of other good things and practices that we can learn from other countries - like friendliness, honesty, courtesy, sincerity.......... and lots of others. Those who travel often would know that in many other respects S'poreans has still a lot to catch up with.

Anyway, no one can be perfect. So, be happy with what we are and what we have and try our best to practise those good deeds and actions that we learn from the people of other countries. Hopefully, we may be able to make S'pore a better place to live in and call our Home.

[ervine]

I feel much safer in Singapore than any other country I've visited, although I did get pick pocketed in singapore before... at least I never had the feeling that my life was in danger if I didn't reach home before midnight...

As for the crime rate increasing, it could merely be the number or reported cases have been increasing and the number which get reported in the papers increase accordingly, perhaps the actual number remains the same...

[Jaslyn]

cyclop,

totally agree with you that singapore can learn alot from others in term of what others are good in.

In germany,people greet each other by saying hello,see you around,god bless you or things like that even they dont know you. In Singapore,I have seen people giving you a stare as if you are crazy if you just smile at them.

[cyclop]

I tried to copy those from other countries. But, you know what? I ended up feeling so stupid that I reminded myself never to do it again - that this is S'pore not Australia, America,...........

The fact that we still need Courtesy Campaigns, Small Kindness Movements, Fathers' Day, Mothers' Day, Teachers' Day (maybe next time, Uncles' and Aunty's Day, Grangfathers' and Grandmothers' Day, etc......) is a clear indication that something is amiss. Those are reminders that we had been forgetting to show our love and respect for them....... and now they drum it into you and make you do it.

Now these have become very good money making opportunities for entreprenuers and business people. This is typically Singapore - Good & Not Good!!!

[cityofangels]

I agree that SG is much safer than the other countries I have been. But true to SG Police Force's motto, "Low crime does NOT mean no crime."

Having been in Perth for the past 5 years and now that I'm back in SG, the safety precautions which I have taken since I was in Perth may sound that I'm simply being paranoid.

However, middle last year (July 2004) when I came back to SG for a short break, I was in Orchard MRT and climbing up the steps, heading to the station control of Orchard MRT. 1 of the precautions I usually take is that I'll carry my bag in front of me while climbing up the steps, so that the person behind me will not have a chance in zapping anything from my bag.

So there I was, carrying my bag INFRONT of me, with my hand clasping my bag securely. Some idiot from behind, pushed me forward and I nearly fell! To support myself, my hand went free of my bag and the idiot zapped my mobile from my bag!

By the time I turned around, the person was gone. *@*&#^!&#*#%!&@#

This happened right here in SG. Till this day, I am still cursing that person's family tree 3 generations!

[Jaslyn]

This happened right here in SG. Till this day, I am still cursing that person's family tree 3 generations!

there are incidents that we met when in Singapore that others might not know.When we first came back from Germany,after living overseas for 7yrs.We encountered this incident that proved to me that Singapore police force isnt doing their job.

We had a break in and the fellow was in my daughter's room(then only 4yrs old)...although he didnt do anything for us to regret,its enough to leave the fear for my daughter even till now.

Police report made and finger prints were dusted.Until now,its 7 yrs,no report coming back to us......there were 2 others houses broken in after ours,newspaper talked about it and when comes to the report,nothing!

[cityofangels]

We had a break in and the fellow was in my daughter's room(then only 4yrs old)...although he didnt do anything for us to regret,its enough to leave the fear for my daughter even till now.

Police report made and finger prints were dusted.Until now,its 7 yrs,no report coming back to us......

It is totally understandable how your daughter must feel, till this day. Once a stranger enters your home (castle, domain, territory), somehow you feel violated. Even in your own home, you can't feel safe. Then where else can we feel safe in?

And yes... The police (not only in SG) really do need EQ training. I guess in their line of work, over the years, they must have grown quite numb to situations, which we, the rest, may find appalling or traumatizing.

[darren]

from time to time, people will bring out issues which shows how being in singapore, being singaporeans, we are losing out. freedom of speech, high pressure education system, high cost of living etc. however i must say this is the first time i've seen the issue of security/crime rates been brought up.

lets put it this way, for every one case of "police not doing their job" an average singaporean can relate to, the average new yorker or londoner can probably think of 10 others.

i feel that we're really picking on the bones a little here.

i think this is really give and take. can the police here increase their already pretty high level of efficiency? sure they can. but at wat cost? when they do, some other people will write in to the ST forum pages complaining about the police being overly paranoid, being over zealous. then the country itself will put on a few more layers to our already thick reputation of being sterile, over disiplined, regimental, etc etc.

the point here is achieving a balance. can a country ever experience zero crime? zero cases of break ins, etc? well... if i remember correctly, saddam hussein's iraq got pretty close to that. its easy really. u dare commit a crime? u get shot in the head. get ur limbs chopped off, if u're lucky. no need for expensive lawyers. simple as that. the law abiding citizens of iraq seemed to understand the simple rules pretty well.

the iraq today? on their way to "democracy", "liberal life", "freedom of speech". and what do u see? is there a day in cnn without any report of so and so dying, being mugged, kidnapped, raped, etc?

go figure that out.

[Bandit]

Are you kidding me... Singapore unsafe... now that is the funniest thing I have ever heard.

Coming from Melbourne (which I believe is a very safe city btw), Singapore is 1000 times safer.

I have been to a lot of places around the world (New York, London, Hong Kong, Rome, Paris just to name a few) and Singapore would have to be one of the safest places I have ever been. It was so safe I was happy enough to bring my children here last time... not something I consider lightly, as they were going to be with my wife during the day whilst I was at work.

However, I think the addition of the casino's will be a very bad move. Petty crime will rise as a result... hopefully not too much.

[Justiana Er]

Compare S'pore 2 other countries like Philipines,Indo,etc... We are still consider SAFE. We are in a quite safe Country. Count ourselves lucky 2 be here thou Cost of living is getting higher & higher.

I personally believes tat those crimes tat are not solved are DONE by those illegal immigrants tat had already left S'pore.

[zehuan]

However, I think the addition of the casino's will be a very bad move. Petty crime will rise as a result... hopefully not too much.

Fully agreed. But I think that it is a desperate move by the Government to boost the economy. No other choice really.

I think crime rate and the state of our economy are very much inversely proportional. When the economy is bad, people become jobless and resort to crime. Vice verse.

[cyclop]

However, I think the addition of the casino's will be a very bad move. Petty crime will rise as a result... hopefully not too much.

Casino or no casino people are already gambling - 4D, TOTO, Chap Ji Ki, Football, Horse Racing, etc................. There are lots of illegal and underground gambling syndicates, and gambling dens "cheating" money from the poor uncles, aunties, old men, and youngster. They work in cahoots with loan sharks who are ever ready and lurking like "sharks" to deepen the misery of these poor people.

Singaporeans are already going to casinos in neighbouring countries. Many going further to Australia to gamble big. In other words Singapore has been losing out in terms of revenue ($$$$$$$$$$) to other countries. There is a saying: "If you cannot beat them follow them". Since we know that many Singaporeans are spending lots of money in casinos abroad why not get them and people from other countries to spend $$$$$$$$$$$ here in our own country, so that we collect the gambling revenue and taxes? Many others businesses will also benefit from it and more jobs will be created. Who would go to casinos and pay an entrance fee of $$$ to gamble? Most likely, the same people who have been frequenting those casinos in neighbouring countries. So better to attract more people to spend $$$$$$ in Singapore. Good for our economy.

It will be status quo for most Singaporeans. Most of them will still live with some hope of getting rich quick or some extra money by playing 4D, TOTO, Big Sweep, etc…….. legal or illegal. Without “hope” life becomes meaningless. and bleak, especially for those in the lower social economy group. "Once a gambler, always a gambler". Those usual big time gamblers will still be the same no matter where they are.

Whether having casinos in Singapore will create more gamblers and result in more social ills is a concern, and rightly so because we do not want our Country to degenerate into an “unsafe place”. One very important question is : Will our Government want to do anything that will jeopardise their own credibility and future standing?

My 2 cents.