School's out, security is stepped up downtown By Alvin Lim and Rennie Whang The New Paper | Wed, Nov 23, 2011 School's out, and the holidays are in. Christmas is coming and young people have every reason to make merry. But it was just a year ago when the year-end festivities were marred by violence. Mr Toh Yao Kwong, 18, ended up with about 20 stitches and a black eye after being attacked by two men at Downtown East on Christmas Eve last year. And on Christmas night, full-time national serviceman Muhammad Fazwan Abdul Hamid, 23, suffered serious head injuries after being bashed by about 10 youths at an Orchard mall. Entertainment and mall operators here have committed themselves to beefing up security in anticipation of this year's holiday crowd. A spokesman for Downtown East told The New Paper that it has stepped up security presence there, but declined to comment on what security measures have been implemented. When TNP visited Downtown East on Thursday afternoon, we counted five cameras at the entrance of the Costa Sands resort, with 17 more along a 100m stretch towards the atrium. Security personnel were also observed patrolling the passageways and keeping watch on crowded areas. The spokesman said: "We have also communicated to our staff and tenants on the need to stay vigilant, especially during peakperiods." But last year's wounds are still fresh in the minds of business operators there. Madam Cindy Wong, 58, who works in a bakery at Downtown East, said that she still recalls another bloody stabbing incident in October last year, when 19-year-old polytechnic student Darren Ng Wei Jie was killed in a gang-related slashing. She said: "I remember the blood and the shouting... how could I possibly forget?" One helper at a Thai restaurant in Downtown East who gave her name as Madam Loy said her business was affected in the four months after that slashing incident. She claimed that some parents she spoke with "did not dare" to allow their children to visit the area in those few months. Madam Loy said that although security had been stepped up immediately following last October's incident, with the installation of a security post and more security guards patrolling the area, she still felt unsafe. Said the 60-year-old: "Although we close our restaurant at 10.30pm, it's only at 1 or 2am that we're done cleaning up... by then, the lights towards D'Marquee are turned off." "Sometimes I'm scared even when I go to the toilet; for all I know these teenagers are hiding there," she added. A co-owner of a toy shop who gave her name as Madam Low said she was "confident" about the security measures here. Said the 50-year-old, who has operated in Downtown East for six years: "We have no choice...or we'll be living in fear, right?" The spokesman said that in previous cases of unruly behaviour, the disputes were "minor and amicably resolved". "It was indeed most unfortunate that we had two such incidents at the end of 2010, but from records, those are isolated cases," he said. "The safety of our guests remains an utmost importance for us, and we will work closely with the Pasir Ris Neighbourhood Police Centre to ensure that Downtown East is a safe and fun place for all," added the spokesman. Taking no chances Also taking no chances this holiday season is popular nightspot Zouk. Said a spokesman for the club: "The kids who come back on holidays from overseas have been partying here regularly before they left, and are all back in good spirits to enjoy themselves." The spokesman noted that the club has experienced cases of theft and fighting, but doubts that the year-end festivities are a major reason for this. She said that the club usually engages more security personnel to cope with the increase in the number of partygoers that visit the club during the holidays. The spokesman said: "At the end of the day, this is the season for celebrations, and we definitely want to ensure that everyone that walks into Zouk has a memorable and enjoyable experience." Residents in the vicinity of Zouk said they are accustomed to dealing with the mess that school holidays entail. Mr Mohamed Ibunu, 28, stall owner of a 24-hour Muslim food shop at Block 92, Zion Road, said the playground and garden areas see "about 20 per cent more rubbish" when the holidays come round. He said: "The kids come after midnight. They quarrel, they fight, and they litter - beer bottles and cans, and food wrappers." A former resident, who gave his name only as Mr Chew, said that more youth would turn up towards the end of the year, with up to 30 youth loitering in the carpark and about 50 in the garden below the block. Said Mr Chew, 45: "It was very frustrating, I would call the police but it did not fix our problems. The kids would urinate at the staircases, and would be breaking bottles and shouting in the night." The manufacturing manager said that he stayed at Block 92 for 20 years until, disappointed by the behaviour of these kids, he finally moved. He added that Kim Seng Road, which is between Block 92 and Zouk, would see gang fights. He said: "I've seen it happen at least a hundred times. The cars would be honking because they block up the road." In response to TNP's queries about whether the police anticipated mischief or delinquency around the holiday period, a police spokesman said: "Police keep a close watch on the crime situation in Singapore. "We will take appropriate action should any law and order issues arise in any particular area or neighbourhood," added the spokesman. 'Conventional methods' Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC Indranee Rajah said the authorities would first try to tackle the problem with "conventional methods". This includes more bins for revellers to throw their rubbish, better lighting in the area, and increased patrols by the police. In September, she had suggested a "no-alcohol zone" to be implemented around the Robertson Quay area. Ms Indranee noted the idea of such a zone may be "polarising, but some need to realise that littering and barfing is not a social requirement". She said: "There needs to be a balance among the different stakeholders of the place." She said meetings with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Land Transport Authority and the police are slated for next month. This article was first published in The New Paper.