Vandalism – whose problem is it?

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by Kabilan Elangovan

IS VANDALISM in Potong Pasir on the rise?

Apparently so. The Town Council had thought the problem serious enough to warrant a mention in its latest annual report.

In his Chairman’s Review in the 2007/08 Annual Report posted by the Town Council, Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong said: “Vandalism and inconsiderate behavior of some of the residents are adding to our expenditure. We have constantly focused on public education among residents to inculcate good social habits.”

Though neither Mr Chiam nor the Town Council could be reached for more details on the issue, many of the 30 residents the Village Online surveyed have also observed that vandalism seems to be on the rise in the quiet estate.

This reporter also took a walk around the estate and found acts of vandalism at the playgrounds, void decks and the street soccer court – which is sited just beside the Neighbourhood Police Post.

Residents interviewed suggested that more surveillance cameras be installed at the spots popular with vandals and more patrols be done by the neighbourhood police.

Whose business is it, really?

What about the role residents should play in combating vandalism in their estate?

When asked what they would do if they witnessed someone vandalizing, half of the respondents said that they would call the police – while the other half said they would simply walk away because it does not concern them.

Vandalised playgrounds send the message to children who play there that vandalism is a normal occurrence. The unsightly scrawls and carvings on walls of void decks give visitors and prospective property hunters a bad impression. Can and should residents say this is none of their business?

A clean-up of the estate requires the proactive involvement of residents, together with the Town Council and the neighbourhood police. At the end of the day, what actions and how fast the latter two take to nip the problem in the bud are also dependent on how much residents care about the issue.