Kevin Wong (39) Comment

"Desmond Tay (35) Question 3

I do not think that Singapore should spend money on security systems that require constant checks and repairs. Instead of spending money on items such as cameras, sound alarms should be installed instead, which will alert everyone of an intruder instead of just observing the intruder. This will lead to much less work being given to police such as a need for investigation. The money can also be used to hire security guards instead, which could actually do something about the crime, as well as help those in need by giving them a job."

Comments on Desmond's entry:

Everything needs checks and repairs. Nothing is infallible. Therefore, it is more worthwhile to spend on CCTV cameras so that each camera can be seen by another, be it at the very edge, we can still see who tampered with them. If we were to spend on sound systems, they only alert people and are not very useful. For example, if it is at night at a HDB estate or a landed property, if the alarm trips, it is a very noisy and a nuisance. Also, if the people are asleep or out, the thief will grab anything he sees and runs. You have no evidence and by the time you reach the crime, the guy is gone. I know because this happened to my father. By the time he went down to the scene, the guy had taken his laptop and disappeared. And because there was no CCTV, the guy got away scot free. Nobody was alerted and the police (he was in Israel) couldn't nail the guy. About security guards, not many places are bothered to hire them. For one, they have to hire a lot of them to cover the whole mall, also they can be sick, too slow to respond, .etc. But, now, malls employ a few guards and install alarms and CCTVs everywhere apart from the restrooms. Therefore, the guards can locate the problem and get there pronto. It is more efficient than having many guards. Also, not many people want to be security guards. It is one of the jobs Singaporeans would not want to do.