Crime Prevention: The Singapore Approach (From Resource Material Series No. 56, P 140-150, 2000, Hiroshi Iitsuka and Rebecca Findlay-Debeck, eds. -- See NCJ-191475)

• NCJ Number: 191486
• Author(s): Jarmal Singh
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: Work product of the 112th UNAFEI International Training Course, “Participation of the Public and Victims for More Fair and Effective Criminal Justice.”

Annotation

This overview of crime prevention in Singapore describes crime prevention concepts and structures, crime prevention schemes, crime prevention programs and projects, program evaluation, and future challenges.

Abstract

Accompanying community policing in Singapore is the development of a proactive approach to crime prevention. Structures for crime prevention include the formation of a Crime Prevention Branch of the Singapore Police Force and the establishment of the National Crime Prevention Council in 1981 to act as a catalyst and partner to mobilize the support of groups and individuals from the community to work closely with the police in crime prevention. Crime prevention schemes emerge from police cooperation with communities through a Neighborhood Watch Scheme. Some crime prevention efforts include crime prevention exhibitions and presentations, an annual crime prevention campaign, crime risk surveys, a Crime Watch TV program, crime prevention for senior citizens, and crime prevention for young people. Crime prevention efforts have also been mounted for the commercial and industrial sectors. Future challenges include the expansion of Neighborhood Watch Zones, the enhancement of strategic alliances between the police and community groups, and improvement in crime prevention awareness among police officers.