CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION IN HDB LIFTS (Effectiveness of)

Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the preliminary findings of the pilot project of installing closed circuit television (CCTV) in Housing and Development Board lifts which is intended to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing the crime rate and urinating in HDB lifts: and (b) if it is effective, whether the H D B has any plan to install CCTV in all its lifts and what would be the total cost involved.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Lee Yock Suan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister for National Development has asked me to answer all the questions concerning the Ministry.

The main objective of installing closed circuit television (CCTV) in HDB lifts is to prevent robbery and sex crimes. Preliminary findings of the pilot project indicate that CCTV is an effective deterrent of such crimes. Urinating and other acts of vandalism in the lifts have also decreased as a result of CCTV.

The CCTV system, however, has one drawback: the television cameras can easily be obstructed by pieces of material or stray paints. The system is therefore not completely reliable. The HDB is quite hesitant to install CCTV in all its lifts, as the capital cost involved is $20 million and the annual maintenance cost is $6 million. To cover these costs, HDB residents may have to pay $2 per month higher conservancy and service charges.

The HDB is now studying other lift security systems in order to choose a more effective and cheaper alternative.