SINGAPORE : More residents want the police to step up security efforts in their estates, with more patrols and longer operation hours of Neighbourhood Police Posts (NPPs).
This was revealed in a straw poll by Channel NewsAsia of some 100 residents.
Pasir Ris and Bukit Panjang saw gang attacks in their estates recently, and Channel NewsAsia polled residents there to find out their thoughts about neighbourhood security.
Responses were mixed when asked if the current police deployment was sufficient.
"It's quite safe, that (incident) was an exception case that happened recently," said one Singapore resident.
"I've been skating around here... and I got screened all the time. So they are doing their jobs," said another.
But many suggest more could be done.
"They should extend the hours of the (neighbourhood) police posts," said a resident.
Another agreed: "I'd like to see more patrols, more bicycle patrols, more NPCs (Neighbourhood Police Centres) and longer operating hours."
Members of Parliament (MPs) said the call for more policing is understandable.
"I believe they were concerned and of course they would hope that more things can be done from the police. But I hope that the residents can understand that there will always be certain limitation to the resources," said Teo Ser Luck, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Mayor of North East District.
The Singapore Police Force said it currently has 235 officers for every 100,000 people - slightly down from last year's ratio of 247 per 100,000 persons.
But it will continue to keep a close watch on the changing needs of the community in shaping the policing system.
