In-car cameras keep eye on estate
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Hoe Pei Shan
A community project to improve safety and deter criminals with the help of in-car cameras has been adopted for the first time by a private residential area.
More than a dozen residents of landed homes in the Pasir Ris Beach area yesterday had their cars fixed up with new cameras, which can record even when the vehicle is parked. Footage of possible criminal activity can be submitted to the police.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sergius Wat, the commanding officer of Pasir Ris Neighbourhood Police Centre, said this will complement the police cameras at multi-storey car parks in the area.
The Vehicles on Watch scheme was first launched by the Bedok Police Division in May. Participating estates have signboards stating that the place is "guarded by vehicles with in-car cameras".
It was Mr Suresh Menon, former chairman of Pasir Ris Beach Park Neighbourhood Committee, who thought the scheme could be implemented in private estates, too.
One resident at yesterday's launch, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also an MP for Pasir Ris, was development trainer Wong Soon Inn, 47. He said: "If you have determined criminals (the camera) may not be able to stop them, but at least this is a deterrent."
