Security And Traffic Arrangements For The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023

The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown (MBSC) to 2023 will be held on 31 December 2022. The Police are expecting large crowds to join in the festivities around Marina Bay.

Safety and Security Arrangements

Police officers, auxiliary police officers, and security officers will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of the public, as well as to manage crowds at various locations within the vicinity of Marina Bay during MBSC 2023. Officers from the Special Operations Command, Protective Security Command, Public Transport Security Command, Police Coast Guard, Traffic Police, Emergency Response Teams and Aerial Response Team will also be deployed alongside officers from the land divisions, to conduct enhanced patrols during this period.

Security personnel may conduct checks on members of the public, including their bags and personal items. Members of the public are advised to cooperate with these officers to facilitate the checks. The Police would also like to remind the public to remain vigilant and adopt the following crime prevention measures:

1. Look after your belongings at all times;
   
   
2. Be cautious when approached by strangers who try to get very close to you;
   
   
3. Stay close to your friends or move around in groups;
   
   
4. Be vigilant against molesters and pickpockets;
   
   
5. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing excessive jewellery to crowded places;
   
   
6. Ensure your bag is closed at all times and sling it in front of you;
   
   
7. Avoid placing your wallet in your back pocket; Avoid contact or confrontation with unruly crowds; and
   
   
8. Approach any Police officer or dial ‘999’ for urgent assistance.

Members of the public are reminded not to engage in activities that may annoy or compromise the safety of others. Flying of any unmanned aircraft, including drones, in the vicinity of the MBSC 2023 events will endanger the safety of others and interfere with the programming. Members of the public are also strongly advised not to cycle in the vicinity of Marina Bay as the area will be congested and the risk of collision with pedestrians is high. The Police will not hesitate to take action against anyone who causes public nuisance, acts rashly or breaks the law.

To prevent overcrowding, police officers and auxiliary police officers will be regulating the number of people entering The Promontory, One Fullerton / Merlion Park, Esplanade Park, Esplanade Waterfront Promenade, Marina Bay Sands Waterfront Promenade, and other areas within the vicinity of Marina Bay. When the capacity of these areas reaches planned safety thresholds, these areas will be closed to ensure the safety of members of the public. Please refer to the map below for the possible area closures.

Members of the public are encouraged to check out the Crowd@MarinaBay map, at https://go.gov.sg/crowd-at-marina-bay, to view real-time crowd levels and area closures around the Marina Bay before proceeding to the vicinity of Marina Bay for the festivities.

In addition, certain entrances/exits of MRT stations around the Marina Bay will be closed to regulate crowd flow at the above-mentioned areas. In the event of overcrowding, trains may bypass affected stations such as Bayfront MRT station to divert crowd away from these crowded areas. Members of the public are advised to be patient and to follow the instructions of the marshals and police officers on duty.

MRT Stations including City Hall, Raffles Place and Bayfront MRT stations are expected to be very crowded. Members of the public are encouraged to use other nearby MRT stations such as Esplanade MRT station, Downtown MRT station and Marina Bay MRT station.

The footways along the Esplanade Bridge and Bayfront Ave are to be used for transit only. Pedestrians are advised not to congregate on these footways.

Traffic Arrangements

To facilitate the event, the following roads and lanes will be closed to all vehicular traffic during the stipulated periods:

Members of the public are advised to take public transport to Marina Bay as parking spaces in the vicinity are expected to be limited. Vehicles parked in the buildings located within the closed roads may not be able to exit during the period of road closures. Please refer to the road closure map below.

Auxiliary Police Officers will be stationed at all affected road junctions to regulate traffic and assist motorists. Traffic Advisory Signs and electronic Variable Message Signs will also be put up near the affected roads. Motorists are encouraged to tune in to the radio for the latest traffic updates.

Parking at peripheral roads and stopping of vehicles along ECP (Benjamin Sheares Bridge) to watch the fireworks are strictly prohibited. Enforcement action will be taken against errant motorists and parked vehicles which cause obstruction will be towed.

Post-Event Dispersal

After the event, the dispersal is likely to be slow due to the large crowds. There will be designated routes out of the Marina Bay, including the area closures, to facilitate safe and orderly dispersal. Signages will be put up to guide members of the public on the route to be taken for dispersal. Crowd flow into the train stations will also be regulated to prevent overcrowding within the stations. Members of the public are advised to be patient and cooperate with security personnel. We seek the public’s understanding that heavy traffic and delays are to be expected.

While the Police have put in place enhanced security measures, everyone has a critical role to play in ensuring the safety and security of Singapore.

As we enjoy the festivities, we urge everyone to #StayAlert, #StayUnited and #StayStrong in our fight against crime and terrorism. Anyone with information on suspicious persons or activities can contact the Internal Security Department at 1800-2626-473 or the Police at 999 or SMS to 71999.  Members of the public can also download the SGSecure App from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to provide information to the authorities.

For enquiries on MBSC 2023 programmes and activities, members of the public may call the event hotline at 6950 3263 or visit www.marinabaycountdown.sg. They can also refer to the Marina Bay Singapore Facebook page for timely updates on the crowd situation on New Year’s Eve and plan their routes and activities accordingly.

Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2023 – SPF Deployment And Capabilities

The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown (MBSC) to 2023 will be held on 31 December 2022. The Police are expecting large crowds to join in the festivities around Marina Bay.

Safety and Security Arrangements

Police officers, auxiliary police officers, and security officers will be deployed to ensure the safety and security of the public, and to manage crowds at various locations within the vicinity of Marina Bay during MBSC 2023. Officers from the Special Operations Command, Protective Security Command, Public Transport Security Command, Police Coast Guard, Traffic Police, Emergency Response Teams and Aerial Response Team will also be deployed alongside officers from the land divisions, to conduct enhanced patrols and for swift response to public security incidents.

The Police have also worked with the event organisers and stakeholders to put in place measures to manage the larger expected crowds in the Marina Bay. These measures include regulating crowd flow, closing-off areas before they become overcrowded, and cordoning-off areas with public safety risk. Signages will be placed to guide the public on diversions and closures of thoroughfares.

Leveraging Technology As A Force Multiplier

Enhanced Mobicam

The Enhanced Mobicam incorporates crowd-management features with static Police cameras used for monitoring crowds and will be deployed at popular crowd congregation areas. Equipped with blinker, speakers and electronic signage, the Enhanced Mobicam enables officers at the Police Command Centre to broadcast both audio and visual messages to issue advisories to the public.

SPF Drones

SPF drones will be deployed during the MBSC 2023 to enhance the SPF’s operational effectiveness. These drones are equipped with thermal and visual sensors that allow officers to derive crowd insights regarding crowd size, flow and density. On top of the sensors, drones deployed will also be equipped with speakers to assist police with crowd control by broadcasting public safety messages to the crowd, including the instructions they should abide by during a contingency. The drones are flown by specially trained Police officers and will only be flown over water.

Crowd@MarinaBay

Crowd@MarinaBay is a live map that allows users to view real-time crowd levels and closure areas around the Marina Bay. Additional features have been incorporated:

1. Users can find their own location on the map by clicking on the current location icon. This will help users to find their orientation in the area.
   
   
2. The map will also include walking paths to the Marina Bay, and users can use these paths in conjunction with their current location to navigate and avoid crowded areas. These walking paths will be updated with alternate path to take when an area is closed.
   
   
3. Users can also click on the warning icons to see the accompanying messages such as advisories relating to closure of an area.

Users will be able to access this platform via their computers and mobile devices from 31 December 2022 from 6pm till 1 January 2023, 1.30am. Members of the public intending to travel to the Marina Bay can utilise the Crowd@MarinaBay map found on https://go.gov.sg/crowd-at-marina-bay to decide where to head to in Marina Bay in consideration of the crowd levels and closures.

Click here to access Crowd@MarinaBay map.

Conclusion

While the Police have put in place enhanced security measures, everyone has a critical role to play in ensuring the safety and security of Singapore. As we enjoy the festivities, we urge everyone to #StayAlert, #StayUnited and #StayStrong in our fight against crime and terrorism. Anyone with information on suspicious persons or activities can contact the Internal Security Department at 1800-2626-473 or the Police at 999 or SMS to 71999.  Members of the public can also download the SGSecure App from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to provide information to the authorities.