How to ensure security in MRT station if CCTV cameras ...
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Sept 26, 2005
How to ensure security in MRT station if CCTV cameras have no film?
I have just experienced an event which leaves me very frustrated, upset and troubled.
Despite the recent publicity to encourage commuters and SMRT staff to report suspicious-looking packages to the authorities, it is evident that the promotional efforts did not have a significant impact.
My brother was waiting for a westbound train at Kembangan MRT station one evening. He was carrying a huge black backpack which contained an IBM laptop.
In his absent-mindedness, he boarded the train without his backpack, which he left on a stone bench at the platform. It was only when he was near Eunos station that he realised he had left behind his backpack.
He alighted to return to Kembangan station on an east-bound train. He had also phoned me about his problem. I notified the Kembangan control station by phone that there was a backpack at the platform and requested that someone retrieve it.
Unfortunately, the backpack was no longer there. I arrived at the scene 10 minutes after my brother's call and spoke to the SMRT staff.
My intention was to find out whether the CCTV cameras had footage of anyone leaving the station with my brother's backpack.
As Kembangan MRT station has only one exit and there were two CCTV camera's pointing in that direction, it was logical to assume that they recorded the scene.
One SMRT officer dodged my brother's request for the camera's footage. We were told that the cameras had no film in them and that they were only used to screen commuters. We were told the cameras were off at that time.
According to the SMRT officer, this was to cut costs. The CCTV cameras facing the platforms were not able to record the waiting areas or the stairs that lead to the exit.
With growing concerns over bomb threats all over the world, it is the duty of SMRT to take the basic precaution of having films in the CCTV cameras to monitor and record activity in the station.
The failure to notice an unattended bag on the station platform highlights the ineffectiveness of the campaign to urge commuters to 'be the first to report' suspicious objects.
The London bombing in July proved that undetected baggage can be destructive and deadly.
The attempt by Al Qaeda to bomb Yishun MRT station in 2002 shows that Singapore may be a target for terrorism.
Prevention is always better than cure but the SMRT authorities seem to prefer cost-cutting measures to tightening up security and taking practical steps such as leaving the cameras on with films in them.
Although I feel the pinch in my pocket due to the loss of the laptop, the shiver in my spine is felt more strongly when I think of the 'preventive measures' that SMRT claims to have taken to ensure the safety of commuters.
Yvette Ong (Ms) -
Come on, ditigal ones need film meh?
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no film is okie, no batteries is jialat.
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wat?
the CCTVs were turned off?
got anything more kamlan onot
raise fare to say bcos we need to install all these security features.......then it's not used??? -
tats wat mrt staff say.Originally posted by sbst275:Come on, ditigal ones need film meh? -
here's the long and short of it..
the hell with CCTVs..
they're only good if they can catch shoplifters...
in case of terror, what do they care? the people are dead already, and mostly, they're suicide bombers anyway....
what we need and what the management refuses to admit to, is that we need a LOT of people who are trained to spot these things, mingling with the public in order to react quickly when threats happen....
hiring more people who work in secret does not add to the CV of the man on top...
putting a lot of CCTVs and telling the whole world that "i've added these security measures" will...
do the cynical math... and you'll know what the senior man will go for... -
act only.Originally posted by FireIce:wat?
the CCTVs were turned off?
got anything more kamlan onot
raise fare to say bcos we need to install all these security features.......then it's not used??? -
Then obviously the cctv not digital ones right?Originally posted by sbst275:Come on, ditigal ones need film meh?
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Worst, many SMRT stn ones are got taiji time say spoilOriginally posted by FireIce:wat?
the CCTVs were turned off?
got anything more kamlan onot
raise fare to say bcos we need to install all these security features.......then it's not used??? -
Then not ditigal one liao...Originally posted by crazy monkey:tats wat mrt staff say. -
DUH!!!Originally posted by sbst275:Then not ditigal one liao... -
tamade i wan a fare refundOriginally posted by FireIce:wat?
the CCTVs were turned off?
got anything more kamlan onot
raise fare to say bcos we need to install all these security features.......then it's not used???
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simple
mahuan screen thru the film ma. -
Ask them to dismantle the camera, ask them get from the profits to do worksOriginally posted by crazy monkey:tamade i wan a fare refund -
Most security measures are an act of Bluff
Seriously any terrorist who wants to take down SG do not even need to be within SG to do the act. They can sit of a boat and shoot a long range missle into Shenton and other major places such as Air port, sea ports and etc. Sg can be easily taken over... -
PM sbst275 help you with fare enquiries, he has close links.Originally posted by crazy monkey:tamade i wan a fare refund Last resort he will announce it in shoutbox every afternoon between 3-5pm, hoping some press columnist will catch it. -
LL.Originally posted by crazy monkey:tamade i wan a fare refund -
the horror! the horror!Originally posted by ditzy:PM sbst275 help you with fare enquiries, he has close links. Last resort he will announce it in shoutbox every afternoon between 3-5pm, hoping some press columnist will catch it. -
actually they have oredi sent the mosquitoes in to wipe us out!!!
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suan le bahOriginally posted by ditzy:PM sbst275 help you with fare enquiries, he has close links. Last resort he will announce it in shoutbox every afternoon between 3-5pm, hoping some press columnist will catch it.
Got bus co kaki looking here liao... Still need press meh? -
how hopeful~!Originally posted by ditzy:PM sbst275 help you with fare enquiries, he has close links. Last resort he will announce it in shoutbox every afternoon between 3-5pm, hoping some press columnist will catch it. -
But end up, not a big killerOriginally posted by FireIce:actually they have oredi sent the mosquitoes in to wipe us out!!! -
You watch too much Red Eye already lah.Originally posted by mistyblue:Most security measures are an act of Bluff
Seriously any terrorist who wants to take down SG do not even need to be within SG to do the act. They can sit of a boat and shoot a long range missle into Shenton and other major places such as Air port, sea ports and etc. Sg can be easily taken over... When the baddies took a boat out, I thought they would use a sniper and rid the vip's family, didn't think they took out a whole rocket launcher. -
If you ever get dengue and end up in hospital or something, I hope they don't give you access to the internet.Originally posted by sbst275:But end up, not a big killer -
with google earth, this seems much easierOriginally posted by ditzy:You watch too much Red Eye already lah. When the baddies took a boat out, I thought they would use a sniper and rid the vip's family, didn't think they took out a whole rocket launcher.