Partygoers enjoying the fireworks display this New Year's Eve at Marina Bay may catch a glimpse of a police drone in the sky, which will be part of the beefed-up police presence for the event.
About 700 police officers will be deployed for this year's Marina Bay Singapore Countdown.
They include officers from the Special Operations Command, Public Transport Security Command and Emergency Response Teams, the police said yesterday.
The event includes light projection shows at the ArtScience Museum and the Merlion. Doors for the concert at The Promontory will be open from 7pm, with the pre-show starting at 9.30pm.
The commander of Central Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Gregory Tan, said the number of officers deployed has been consistent in the last few years. But this year, the force is using a specialised drone to boost the safety and security of the thousands expected to attend the festivities.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) features blinkers, search lights and an audio warning system.
It was trialled at the last countdown and other major events but will be deployed officially this year.
DAC Tan said: "Over and above closed-circuit television cameras, officers' perspectives and cameras worn by officers, the UAVs allow a higher plane view of the events and that's very useful for crowd control operations."
He said the drones help police anticipate and adjust security measures for crowd movement, to ensure smooth passage for people.
"We are able to react more quickly to manage the crowd and ensure that public safety is prioritised and citizens can enjoy the countdown safely," he said.
He added that the public should remain vigilant amid the revelry as the terrorist threat remains, and to look out for suspicious people and objects.
During the festivities, security personnel may conduct checks on bags and personal items. Partygoers should also be vigilant against molesters, the police said.
In addition to boots on the ground and a drone in the sky, more than 20km of fences and barricades will line the Marina Bay area for crowd control measures.
The police are also using more concrete blocks, about 900 tonnes in total, to line the roads as a measure against vehicle attacks.
In a first for the countdown, speakers that will be used for public announcements will also play soothing instrumental music during crowd dispersal.
Police officers and their auxiliary counterparts will also be regulating the number of people entering areas like The Promontory, One Fullerton/Merlion Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade and Marina Bay Sands Promenade.
There will also be road closures in areas like Marina Boulevard and Raffles Avenue, and the police Facebook page will be updated regularly on the crowd situation to prevent overcrowding.
Mr Ravi Sivalingam, head of operational support services at the Esplanade, expects around 70,000 people to visit the area during the countdown activities.
He added that the Esplanade, which is working closely with the authorities, started security preparations about three months ago.
While he was unable to share details of the security measures being taken, he said: "Our security operations are ultimately for everyone's safety.
"So should people be told to take a longer route (because of road closures and crowd control measures), I hope they remember that it's for the greater good."
