NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEME (Progress)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Sia Khoon Seong asked the Minister for Home Affairs to give an account of the progress of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, indicating the number of constituencies and Residents' Committee zones where the scheme has been introduced and the problems, if any, which have been encountered in the implementation of the scheme thus far.

The Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was introduced in June 1981. It advocates community spirit and the main objective is to make the public aware of the self-help concept in crime prevention. The Scheme encoura es residents to form Neighbour- hood Watch Groups with immediate neighbours and to arrange informally amongst themselves to keep a watchful eye on one another's premises. Strangers loitering in the neighbourhood will therefore be noticed and police can be called at the slightest hint of trouble.

Since its introduction, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has been launched in 48 constituencies for implementation in public and private housing estates. As of January 1982, 116 Residents' Committee Zones in the 48 constituencies have taken part in the Scheme involving a total of 15,000 households.

The response from the public towards this Scheme has generally been encouraging. So far, no problems have been ehcountered. However, progress in its implementation in the new housing estates has been a little slow. This is in contrast to the situation in the older housing estates, like Kallang and MacPherson, where a large number of Neighbourhood Watch Groups have already been formed. An explanation for this could be that residents in the older estates already know each other well and there is mutual trust.

Nevertheless, it is expected that more Neighbourhood Watch Groups will be formed in the new public housing estates once residents have seftled down and got to know their neighbours better.

Police studies reveal that many of the criminal offences perpetrated can be prevented if the public take more care and interest in crime prevention. This is particularly true of property offences, such as housebreaking and theft of property, which annually account for 60% of crimes reported to the police. Seen in this light, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme will enable every resident to contribute his share to this effort which will supplement the efforts of the police department. If every resident cooperates in the Scheme, there should be a reduction in property crimes as well as other offences.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Hon. Minister of State advise me whether this Scheme could be further extended to look into the problem of traffic hazards in the various constituencies? If this Scheme is not an appropriate scheme for this purpose, would the Hon. Minister of State consider a special scheme to study the traffic hazards in detail? The reason is that in Kampong Kembangan I have received a report from the Officer-in-Charge of the Traffic Police indicating that over 600 summonses have been issued for traffic offences in Bedok North Street 3, Bedok North Road and Chai Chee Street. Despite this, there are still many vehicle owners and drivers who simply ignore the parking regulations.

Mr Speaker: Encik Mansor, your supplementary question seems to be a long one, is it not?

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Yes, Sir. This is because two weeks ago a death resulted from a traffic accident.

Mr Speaker: Could you please ask your supplementary question?

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Could the Minister of State consider a special scheme if this Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is not appropriate to look into this particular problem?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Kampong Kembangan has asked two supplementary questions. First, whether the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme will be extended to cover purposes and objects which are not immediately within the scheme as launched. The answer is that the scheme has been launched within the limited scope that I have mentioned. If that immediate objective is achieved, of course, it should be possible to consider extending the terms of reference of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

As to the second question, I understand the concern of the Member for Kampong Kembangan over what he considers to be an extraordinarily large number of traffic offences in the vicinity of his constituency. It should, of course, be completely open to the Neighbourhood Watch Groups or any other of the civic groups, such as the CCCs or the RCs or individuals for that matter, to bring this to the attention of the police. Now that he has mentioned it, of course, this will be taken note of and I will be conveying it to the proper authorities.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Sir, would the Hon. Minister of State consider giving me a report of the accident which occurred about two or three weeks ago at Block 45, Chai Chee Street, involving the death of a scooterist? I understand that this accident was the result of the blocking of the view at the junction near Block 45, Chai Chee Street.

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the hon. Member couid supply me with further details as to the date, time and location, of course, he will be supplied with the necessary information.