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Ministry round-up
# Airport security
THE threat posed to outbound flights from Singapore is generally lower than in many other countries because of the high level of security here, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.
Addressing concerns about the trade-off between security and efficiency at checkpoints, he added that necessary measures will be taken should the global threat level for airports be raised.
He also said Singapore has a system for spotting passengers with suspicious intent and will put them through more thorough checks without causing inconvenience to other travellers.
# Crimes against elderly
EFFORTS to protect the elderly from crimes are showing results, said Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee, citing figures.
Last year, the number of people aged 60 and older falling prey to common crimes such as robbery, snatch theft and cheating fell by 22 per cent, and lift robberies, by 17 per cent.
But the police are not letting up. In school talks, they include crime prevention advice that students can share with their grandparents.
There are also plans to work with grassroots and voluntary organisations to educate the elderly on ways to avoid being a victim of crime.
# No police brain drain
ALTHOUGH the police do not track the number of officers who resign to join the integrated resorts (IRs), anecdotal evidence suggests there have not been many, said Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee.
'For those who have, this is a positive development as their professional experience and presence will not only keep the IRs safer but also facilitate closer cooperation with the police,' he said. 'In addition, a few retired officers have joined the IRs as a second career, which is also a positive development.'
He said that last year's resignation rate was 2.6 per cent, against 4.7 per cent in 2008.
# Boosting paramedics' skills
THE Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is working with the Health Ministry to boost the skills of paramedics and create structured career pathways for them over the next two to three years.
Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee also said most emergency ambulances already have direct ECG transmission to hospital emergency departments and use technology to capture and send case information.
Last year, SCDF ambulances achieved the desired response time of 11 minutes for 85 per cent of cases, better than the target of 80 per cent.
# Helping vulnerable youth
THE police will work with schools on projects to help spot problem youth and intervene early so that they stay away from crime, said Minister of State (Home Affairs) Masagos Zulkifli.
Last year, the police, working with schools in Ang Mo Kio, identified 180 at-risk students, put them through counselling, anti-gang talks and leadership camps and mentored them. This scheme will be expanded to schools in other areas.
The authorities are also exploring giving the police more powers to break up loose gangs, and getting parents involved in their children's activities.
# Airport security
THE threat posed to outbound flights from Singapore is generally lower than in many other countries because of the high level of security here, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam.
Addressing concerns about the trade-off between security and efficiency at checkpoints, he added that necessary measures will be taken should the global threat level for airports be raised.
He also said Singapore has a system for spotting passengers with suspicious intent and will put them through more thorough checks without causing inconvenience to other travellers.
# Crimes against elderly
EFFORTS to protect the elderly from crimes are showing results, said Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee, citing figures.
Last year, the number of people aged 60 and older falling prey to common crimes such as robbery, snatch theft and cheating fell by 22 per cent, and lift robberies, by 17 per cent.
But the police are not letting up. In school talks, they include crime prevention advice that students can share with their grandparents.
There are also plans to work with grassroots and voluntary organisations to educate the elderly on ways to avoid being a victim of crime.
# No police brain drain
ALTHOUGH the police do not track the number of officers who resign to join the integrated resorts (IRs), anecdotal evidence suggests there have not been many, said Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee.
'For those who have, this is a positive development as their professional experience and presence will not only keep the IRs safer but also facilitate closer cooperation with the police,' he said. 'In addition, a few retired officers have joined the IRs as a second career, which is also a positive development.'
He said that last year's resignation rate was 2.6 per cent, against 4.7 per cent in 2008.
# Boosting paramedics' skills
THE Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is working with the Health Ministry to boost the skills of paramedics and create structured career pathways for them over the next two to three years.
Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Ho Peng Kee also said most emergency ambulances already have direct ECG transmission to hospital emergency departments and use technology to capture and send case information.
Last year, SCDF ambulances achieved the desired response time of 11 minutes for 85 per cent of cases, better than the target of 80 per cent.
# Helping vulnerable youth
THE police will work with schools on projects to help spot problem youth and intervene early so that they stay away from crime, said Minister of State (Home Affairs) Masagos Zulkifli.
Last year, the police, working with schools in Ang Mo Kio, identified 180 at-risk students, put them through counselling, anti-gang talks and leadership camps and mentored them. This scheme will be expanded to schools in other areas.
The authorities are also exploring giving the police more powers to break up loose gangs, and getting parents involved in their children's activities.
