Why are people so rude on the MRT!! Some1 Enlighten me!

[aster]

None in this region actually, you're perfectly correct on this one

The question is do you want to measure Singapore by third-world standards or compare it to developed nations? Therefore I would leave simple geography out of it but rather look at the "league table" if you know what I mean.

For the same reason I wouldn't evaluate the level of safety in LA by anything lower than Western standards just because Mexico lies nearby...

Singapore does a great job at keeping crime low, no doubt about it. Not sure if draconian (albeit adequate) penalties are the sole reason, or if there's more to it. By Western standards (not just Western but developed nations in general) Singapore is probably 100x safer than most, but at the same time carries a 100x greater risk that you kid will get hit by a car so anyone new to Singapore should tell them to exercise extreme caution at all times (which should be done anyway, even in countries with extremely harsh road codes and low accident rates).

P.S. One a side note, I have never been to Jakarta, is it that bad? You mentioned Bangkok, have a friend who has lived there for almost 5 years, claims there is not a single part in the city where he would not go at any time of day or night. Loves it there but has since moved back to the US for a few years as part of his gov't job.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That's true, I go anywhere in Bangkok day or night as well.

As long as I was in groups of 3 or more. Wouldn't do it alone though. Now, here in Singapore, you can just about (not always or anyplace) crawl home knee-walking, commode-hugging drunk without a problem by yourself. Course going to a beach party on Sentosa and strutting your stuff egging on the foreign workers might get you into a bit of a scrap though!

And yes, Singapore's low crime rate is primarily due to the draconian laws here. nothing else. How could it be with 25% of the population being foreigners here who are treated like dirt.

[x9200]

And yes, Singapore's low crime rate is primarily due to the draconian laws here.

More, because it is very effectively executed. Highly restrictive/repressive law is not enough.

[banker]

And yes, Singapore's low crime rate is primarily due to the draconian laws here.

More, because it is very effectively executed. Highly restrictive/repressive law is not enough.

And yes, Singapore's low crime rate is primarily due to the draconian laws here. nothing else.

Another stereotype post from SMS. Now I'm living in a country where the law is much harder (e.g. be heading in public etc) but I have to be cautious when I'm carrying my laptop as snatchers in motorbike are common

In the recent interview with MM Lee, Mark Jacobson of National Geographic noted the following

“One thing that struck me is how you never see a policeman. I live in New York and I see police, cops all the time.”

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nah, no need to retract, just realize it's you posting and that explains everything.

[SunWuKong]

I'm afraid I have to agree with SMS on this one. If it only happens once a year, it's a good year, and all that . I guess I've used up my quota for 2010.

I see a policeman approximately once a week, which I find perfectly acceptable. The less I see them the better. If New York has a greater police presence, then I can only presume that there is a correspondingly greater criminal presence.

I'm sure if crime were to run rampant in Singapore we would see more policemen on the streets. So be careful what you wish for.

On the flip side, New York probably doesn't have soldiers with assault rifles walking casually around public areas, itching to remove their sticky tape. I've seen four of these in my time here, and that averages out to once every four months. Again blissfully infrequent.

[irvine]

Low crime rate as a result of very strict laws, I agree. I can see it with my own eyes every single day. Other than conditioning people not to break any laws or rules, it has also make people find excuses or quick to blame someone/something else for anything they do wrong.

Why can't they just say 'sorry' and move on with life? What's with the tons of excuses or blames for the one thing they HAD TO do wrong?

I see this everyday. In my workplace, at home, in the public area, in the taxi, and even the bus driver. Oh my word..

If these behaviors are not a result of draconian laws, then what? Pride?

I know this is an issue many locals don't like. But to some of us foreigners, it is VERY obvious as in it shouts out. What can I do? Shake my head and walk away? Or raise it up to the person involved? Both ways I've done, doesn't go well, especially the latter.

[irvine]

As for the policeman presence in Singapore, it really depends on which area you're in. They're in Geylang Road and the surrounding area at ALL times. At least that's what I see when my bus passes through that road.

And the checkpoint, what's with multiple officers standing by with big guns? I certainly DID NOT feel safe when we ride through in a motorbike. In my opinion, that was unnecessary, but again, this being Singapore... they like it to be safe than sorry.

[x9200]

And the checkpoint, what's with multiple officers standing by with big guns? I certainly DID NOT feel safe when we ride through in a motorbike. In my opinion, that was unnecessary, but again, this being Singapore... they like it to be safe than sorry.

And they are right. Draconian law... once again, law can be very strict and very draconian and you may have high crime rate anyway. See how this works in SG - certain crimes/offences are given top priority to be solved and the law is here executed very very efficiently. This results in the low crime rate for all the serious crimes. Now take a look at traffic regulation. Just an example - there are different areas with similar patterns. You are obliged by law to give priority in certain situation, use signals, not drive motorbike between the lanes etc. The law is here in place but it is simply not executed so hardly anybody follows the regulation. As simple as this and all within the same country.

[Vaucluse]

Have a good friend in Singapore who works for the local CID . . . he tells me that there are a lot of cops on the streets, they just don't wear uniforms

[aster]

I take it petty theft and the usual annoying crime that plagues tourists all over the world is dealt with a heavy hammer in Singapore. Swift justice at its finest, and rightly so.

At the same time enforcing the law on the roads seems to be extremely lax. Not only do cars jump red lights, they even do so in front of the police without any qualms whatsoever.

What I personally like is that I can walk the street with an open beer in hand. As someone who doesn't line soda or other artificial beverages (I'll have a Coke like once a week) it's convenient to be able to make my way around the city while enjoying every tasty sip of some quality, chilled beer.

[ev-disinfection]

Well, wouldn't it be nice, if we were all brought back in time to a simpler Singapore..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw7toyYrqjs in 1957....

Back then, we also had a few cops, traffic was good, jobs market for Expats was fantastic and we had only bad hygiene, gangsters and communism to deal with....

Wonder what the Expats then, said about Singapore 52 years ago....

BTW, the soldiers with their semi-automatics, are a deterrent against terrorist only . . . it is not to scare the foreigners away.

[sundaymorningstaple]

BTW, the soldiers with their semi-automatics, are a deterrent against terrorist only . . . it is not to scare the foreigners away.

Which is really kind of silly in a way. The terrorist would be hard to pick out in a crowd and frankly, I don't think many terrorists are all that concerned about getting snuffed. Matter of fact they are more scared of being caught alive I'd imagine. Especially with the treatment that is rumoured to be metted out here.

Frankly, the weapons do scare the tourists, truth be known.

[nakatago]

BTW, the soldiers with their semi-automatics, are a deterrent against terrorist only . . . it is not to scare the foreigners away.

Yeah, assault rifles just give me the same fuzzy feeling that I get from leis and drinks with teensy umbrellas in them.

[ev-disinfection]

Ok then, from today onwards, we will stop carrying our big guns around in public...

Nakatago: with yellow / orangee teensy umbrellas in them. i get the same feeling too... whoooo hoo

How did you guys like the video....???
SMS: i tried to find u in the video, still don't know who u are.....