I think that Singapore should step up on CCT surveillance, Economic downturn or not, I feel that the CCT Surveillance does not cost much to be installed and I feel it help a lot in reducing the amount of crimes. Singapore, being a small country, does not need that many cameras as compared to London an Paris. Paris, being the Capital city of Fashion, is bound to have many stores and shops with expensive clothing that people are bound to steal and rob. More cameras and video surveillance is therefore needed in area such as those. Streets such as “ Avenue des Champs-Elysees” with many expensive brands around.
The CCT surveillance is also able to record events like riots and protests. The people involved will be easily recognized and there will be less and less Protestants sooner or later.
Singapore, Being a small country, population not being so much and the only few shopping districts are places like Orchard. I say we should only increase the areas with higher rates of crimes than to step up the amount at ALL places in Singapore.
Whether or not the usage of CCT surveillance is efficient or not, I am sure that it certainly help The society on the increase of crime rates.
Choy Mun Keet Darren (5) 2nd Entry
ReplyDeleteI have read about your post about our country increasing its CCT surveillance whether or not there is an economic downturn. I personally disagree that it would be cheap to install CCT surveillance island-wide. However, I strongly agree that it would help a lot in deterring crime in Singapore. It is true that our country need not install as much cameras as other cities such as London and Paris due to its size and population. In comparison to Paris, which is according to your post, the "Capital city of Fashion", Singapore definitely has smaller commercial districts. The problem for the French government and its law enforcers is that they have a huge population, with many visitors (known as aliens) from other countries in the European Union. Most of the French people do not live in urban areas, yet alone suburban districts. Personally, I will be willing to sacrifice my privacy for law enforcement. Besides, they will not be setting up CCT surveillance to invade our privacy, they are doing so to make sure that would-be criminals do not harm our society. However, I am not comfortable with the use of tax-payer money in upgrading such surveillance systems. I feel that a referendum should be held with at least 60% of the people voting for a go-ahead before tax-payer money gets involved. I believe that most offenders in Singapore are actually afraid of the hefty punishments and the consequences of getting arrested for their crimes and that most of them who decide to carry on with their crimes are desperate for what they are after. In such cases, I believe that prevention is better than cure and more hotlines to be set up to offer a listening ear to would-be criminals, so that they can get expert advice on how to cope with the financial downturn or other personal problems.
I would like to challenge your point that CCT surveillance will be effective in recording riots and protests. This is because the government has created strict laws which mandate that people are not permitted to riot or cause civil disorder. If they do go against this law, they will be swiftly arrested by the police, imprisoned and heavily fined. People are also not allowed to hold a public gathering of 4 or more people without a permit which must go through the authorities. This is the same for speaking at the Speakers' Corner. With such regulations, Singaporeans will be less willing to riot and protest for whatever their cause may be.
If the referendum which I have suggested does not happen, I feel that the authorities should set up CCT surveillance in phases in places where crime is more stagnant, such as shopping centers and pubs. The private sector's security industry has already helped by putting high-tech security devices on the markets for both the public and private enterprises to purchase.
I feel that whether or not the usage of CCT surveillance is cost-efficient or not, it definitely will help society in putting a clamp on crime in Singapore.