PUBLIC SAFETY Creating a safe and secure living environment for all
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PUBLIC SAFETY Threats to public safety come in different forms and can be very dynamic and complex. To respond effectively to such threats and better protect our people and assets, homeland security agencies need to be able to react quickly and respond effectively to critical situations. This involves streamlining and automating operations for greater efficiency and agility and engaging citizens in the public safety effort.
A more proactive role for citizens Citizen and community policing can be a “force-multiplier” for the police, supplementing the police presence in every corner of the city. With a greater sense of ownership for public safety, citizens can serve as “sensors” for the police and work hand-in-glove with law enforcement agencies to improve the security and safety of their neighbourhood. NCS’ citizens and community policing solutions empower citizens to be sensing, proactive eye witnesses and to play a more active role in law enforcement efforts. Examples include the e-Police Centre and the Stolen and Lost Property Index (SPEX).
More enforcement efforts Within various agencies, e-systems have also been implemented to help them operate more efficiently while ensuring the highest standards of security and public safety. They include the Immigration Auto Clearance System by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, PATROL by the Central Narcotics Bureau, eCustoms by Singapore Customs and the installation of digital video surveillance systems for monitoring public security and safety. Mobile terminals have also been deployed for use in various enforcement and public safety situations. To support other aspects of public safety, NCS has deployed Digital Traffic Red Light Cameras that help enforce traffic discipline and improve road safety, and developed a Flood Alert Management System that provides SMS alerts to members of the public should there be imminent danger of flooding in certain areas. NCS has also implemented an eRegister system to help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) get in touch with citizens overseas in emergency situations.
Leveraging smart city solutions Going forward, NCS will be leveraging smart city solutions to further improve public safety. Analytics and predictive modelling will be applied to multiple live data feeds from CCTVs and other sensing or machine-to-machine technology to heighten situational awareness and improve public safety response. New systems will be developed to synergise the efforts of various law enforcement agencies and facilitate investigation and coordinate response. A central crisis management system will enable agencies to share security-related information and provide a platform for closer collaboration as we work together to protect the people, the assets and the future of the nation.
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The e-Police Centre (ePC) is a one-stop portal which provides members of the public with convenient access to police services and supports community involvement in law enforcement efforts. ePC was first launched in 2002 as an additional touch point for members of the public to interact with the Singapore Police Force. Developed by NCS, it provides members of the public with a convenient way to lodge non-urgent police reports online. For example, ePC can be used to report general crime, lost property or traffic accidents without having to make a trip to the police station. Repossession companies can also make use of the system to file a Vehicle Repossession Report. A copy of the report is then emailed to the person who lodged it.
Providing e-channels to support law enforcement
The portal also enables the community to play a bigger role in keeping our city safe. For example, a feature called Crime Stopper allows users to provide the police with tip-offs or information on gang or drug-related crimes, suspicious persons and activities. Another, the Secondhand Goods Transaction Records System, allows secondhand dealers to screen goods before purchase. There are also different types of information services available through ePC. An example is the Stolen and Lost Property Index (SPEX) which allows members of the public to screen selected items to make sure that they have not been reported stolen or lost. These items include mobile devices with IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers, laptops and notebook computers, portable media players, cameras and watches. Another example is the Electronic Driver Data Information and Enquiry System for checking on a motorist’s driving licence status and driving record. As an online portal, ePC provides members of the public with greater convenience and ease of access to police services. For the Singapore Police Force, it helps free up valuable manpower resources at police centres, allowing officers to deal with time-critical cases more efficiently.
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Guarding the gateways The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is the agency responsible for securing Singapore’s borders against the entry of undesirable persons and cargo through the country’s land, air and sea checkpoints. As the guardians of Singapore’s gateways, it has to ensure that Singapore’s borders are highly secure while clearing travellers as efficiently and as quickly as possible. To meet these objectives, ICA became one of the first immigration authorities in the world to implement a biometric system for secure self-clearance at checkpoints. Known as the Immigration Automated Clearance System (IACs), the first version of the automated gates came into operation in 1997 and was based on smartcard technology. NCS was also involved in rolling out an enhanced version of IACS (eIACS) in 2006, which allowed Singapore citizens to clear immigration via the automated gates without the need for an Access Card if they are using a valid machinereadable Singapore passport. This was possible because their fingerprints would have been captured in the National Registration database when they registered for their Singapore identity cards. The eIACS was subsequently extended to permanent residents, work pass holders and other long-term pass holders with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation)-compliant passports. On 5 April 2011, ICA ceased to issue Access Cards, making immigration clearance a smooth and seamless process for the vast majority of travellers passing through our checkpoints.
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Streamlining permit applications Say farewell to faxes. With the Permit Administration and ConTROL System (PATROL), traders now send declaration forms and supporting documents to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) over the Internet, saving them paperwork, and paper. CNB was established in 1971 as the primary drug enforcement agency entrusted with the responsibilities of coordinating all matters pertaining to the fight against drugs and to make Singapore drug-free. It also regulates precursor chemicals necessary in the manufacture of controlled drugs. Declarations are required for every import, export and shipment of these chemicals. Previously, traders sent the declaration forms and supporting documents through fax. The process was time-consuming and resource intensive. A more efficient and effective system was needed to streamline processes and improve the speed of application approval/rejection. NCS worked with CNB to develop a web-based online permit application system for the agency. The system, PATROL, enables registered traders and forwarders to perform permit transactions online and have immediate access to the information they require anytime, anywhere. They can also track all permits and the approval status at a glance.
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Trade is the lifeblood of Singapore Trade is the lifeblood of Singapore. In 2012, Singapore Customs revenue was S$7.379 billion and the total value of trade was 3 times the national GDP at S$985 billion. The eCustoms System enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administration. Through active engagement with businesses, robust regulations and effective enforcement, the system facilitates Customs in safeguarding Singapore as a global trade hub that is trusted by our foreign trading partners and businesses operating in Singapore. NCS’ eCustoms system supports the national trade infrastructure and cargo clearance at various checkpoints and interfaces with multiple agencies for some of its critical functions such as permit submission, processing and approval. With over 20 years of experience in this area, we have built a strong portfolio of customs systems which include permit processing systems, cargo manifest systems, and systems to facilitate warehouse inventory control of dutiable items, assessment and collection of duty and GST and security clearance of goods, among many others. These are backed by end-to-end consultancy and implementation services to help customs authorities harness ICT effectively to simplify customs processes and facilitate goods movement across borders.
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Working efficiently on-the-go Timely access to information is critical during an emergency. Police officers, ambulance personnel and fire fighters need to have up-to-date information so that they can respond effectively to an incident. To support them in their operations, Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) have been deployed in police vehicles, ambulances and fire engines to allow first responders to receive information on the move. By transmitting data directly to the MDT, the system allows officers to view incident details without having to contact the headquarters or division for information, saving precious time in incident response. Mobile terminals are also being used to increase efficiency in car park enforcement. The Electronic Handheld Terminal (EHT) system, which we developed for the Housing and Development Board (HDB), allows enforcement officers from HDB’s Service Providers to print out parking offence notices using bluetooth and a mobile thermal printer. At the same time, information on the parking offence is sent via the mobile network to the agency’s enterprise servers. This has transformed the car park enforcement process into a seamless, real-time workflow. Enforcement officers are able to obtain updated data anytime and anywhere on the EHT. They also no longer need to make trips back to the office to download/upload data, thus improving their operational efficiency.
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Staying in touch with Singaporeans overseas Be contactable wherever you are in the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) eRegister system is a voluntary and free service which helps ensure that Singapore citizens who travel or reside overseas can be contacted in the event of an emergency such as a natural disaster or civil unrest. The system allows users to record information about their travel itinerary abroad. The information that is provided will allow MFA to contact the user in order to make sure that he is safe and render assistance if required.
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Creating safer cities As part of a wider push to create safer cities, NCS has rolled out digital video surveillance systems to enhance situational awareness and enable public agencies to track and respond more effectively to security and safety threats. The deployment in Little India, where a riot occurred in December 2013, has helped enhance public safety in the area. It follows our participation, together with consortium partner Airbus Defence & Space, in the Safe City Test Bed Project which was launched in 2013. An initiative by the Safety and Security Industry Programme Office which is jointly established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB), the Safe City Test Bed Project was aimed at assessing how analytics software can be used to study government data from sensors such as CCTV cameras to enhance sense-making and planning in public safety scenarios. As part of our solution, a vehicle-mounted CCTV system was deployed to provide rapid and flexible access to specific areas and persons who may be associated with a crime, in order to gather intelligence for tactical or strategic operations. The videos recorded from the vehicle were transmitted in real time to back-end systems for analysis using a high-speed LTE (Long Term Evolution) connection. The solution also involved aggregating multiple systems and information sources onto a single intelligent and interactive operational platform, putting agencies in a stronger position to minimise the impact of threats.
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Saving lives with Digital Traffic Red Light Cameras Beating the red light can have fatal consequences, and the Singapore traffic police is trying to put a stop to the needless loss of lives with the implementation of a new Digital Traffic Red Light System that will help enforce traffic discipline and enhance road safety. The 11-megapixel digital red light cameras work with intelligent sensors to detect traffic violations and capture images of the vehicles involved. The images are then transmitted directly to a central database for automatic number plate identification. 240 digital cameras will be rolled out by mid-2015. Unlike their film-based predecessors, they offer better resolution and clarity, allowing images to be transmitted directly for vehicle identification, and there is no need to worry that they will run out of film.
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A proactive approach to tackling flash floods To ensure public safety in the event of flooding, especially flash floods, Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s national water agency has introduced an SMS service that alerts members of the public in real time if there is a heavy downpour and/or water levels in designated canals start to rise. The service is part of a Flood Alert Management System developed by NCS for PUB to facilitate the management, reporting and sending of SMS broadcasts on flooded areas so that the public can be informed about the latest flood situation. As part of a comprehensive approach to drainage management and control, PUB has installed 171 sensors in key canals and drains to track the water levels. The Flood Alert Management System interfaces with these water level sensors and stores the data for further action such as the broadcasting of SMS alerts. PUB officers will have access to an online portal to configure the broadcast rules and alert messages. The system also caters for ad hoc broadcasts and helps the officers to monitor the water level sensors and ensure that they are in good working condition. Members of the public can subscribe to the SMS service via an online portal. Subscribers will receive progressive SMS alerts if the water level in a selected canal rises above certain pre-determined levels in relation to the depth of the canal. They can also opt to receive a rainfall alert from the National Environment Agency’s Meteorological Service Singapore. The SMS will indicate where heavy rain will be expected, and provide information on expected tidal changes should the rainfall coincide with high tide. Notifications will also be sent out when the rainfall subsides or water levels recede, thus closing the loop on the alert service.
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