Decision on Locations of Speed Cameras and CCTVs

Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry can expedite the installation of CCTVs at selected blocks of flats ahead of their scheduled installation, especially in places that have frequent Police reports of vandalism, robbery and loanshark activities.

The Second Minister for Home Affairs (Mr S Iswaran) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mdm Speaker, as part of the Community Policing System, Police will install cameras at all 10,000 HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks. Since May 2012, a total of 18,000 Police Cameras have been installed in 3,300 HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks across all 16 Town Councils and the 87 wards that they cover. Installation of Police Cameras at the remaining HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks is on track for completion by 2016. Residents have welcomed this initiative and I would like to thank Members for supporting the installation of Police Cameras in your respective wards.

The selection of blocks and installation schedule takes into account a variety of factors, such as local crime trends, community feedback and recommendations from the Town Councils. The objective is to maximise the impact of Police Cameras to prevent, deter and detect crime. Police review the installation schedule regularly. Such reviews allow us to adjust the schedule in response to changes in the ground situations.

In addition to Police Cameras installed at the entry and exit points of HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks, the Community Policing System programme involves the setting up of the Community Policing Unit and the Crime Strike Force in the Neighbourhood Police Centres to enhance Police presence on the ground. The officers in these units partner the community on crime prevention projects as well as work closely with community groups, such as Citizens-on-Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch Groups, to keep our neighbourhoods safe and secure.

I thank the Minister for his reply. One supplementary question – will such CCTVs be also installed in new BTO flats? And if yes, will the Ministry consider working with MND to have them installed upon obtaining Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) for these flats?

Madam, as I have said earlier, the intent is to have complete coverage of HDB blocks and multi-storey car parks within the scheduled timeframe. How in fact we execute this with respect to the construction of new flats is something that, again, will be

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based on the factors that I have mentioned – community feedback, HDB and how their building programme will be affected, with recommendations from Town Councils as well. But if there are specific issues that the Member wishes to raise, she can do so through the Town Council which is the mode of engagement to the Police we have.