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The Chinese New Year celebrations are “hopping” back this year! Go on patrol in Chinatown with Central Division’s ERT officers to learn how they ensure the safety and security of festive shoppers.
By: Domnic Dass
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers on patrol along Sago Street. PHOTOS: Roger Yue III
Chinese New Year (CNY) is back in Chinatown after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With radiant lights, weekly stage shows and 280 roadside stalls selling festive goods, large crowds have been the norm. Here’s how the Singapore Police Force (SPF) ensures the public’s safety and security!
Inspector (Insp) Evangeline Liew is the Team Leader for the Central Division’s ERT. Formed in 2016, the ERT comprises officers who are handpicked from Police Land Divisions, based on their fitness and marksmanship skills, to serve as the first wave of responders to safety and security-related incidents. “Our objective is to project presence to deter crime and to respond immediately if there’s an armed attack within the crowd,” said Insp Liew.
Station Inspector (SI) Dalwinder Singh (right) is currently a Deputy Team Leader and has been in the ERT for almost seven years.
“To do our job effectively, we must stay at the top of our game,” says SI Dalwinder. “We train extensively with specialist units so that we’re operationally ready to respond when needed. We’re also trained in counter-assault skills and equipped with weapons to deal with armed threats quickly.”
SI Dalwinder shared that ERT officers carry close to 17kg of equipment when they’re on duty. “Sometimes, when crowds get very dense, it may be difficult for us to navigate through them,” he explained. “That’s why we also conduct static point duties to continue projecting presence along the narrow streets in Chinatown.”
For Insp Liew, patrolling in Chinatown this year has been a special experience. “The joyous atmosphere, the ever so unique decorations and families shopping together – it’s been really heart-warming to see,” she said.
To ensure the safety of festive shoppers this year, the SPF has deployed the Crowd@Chinatown live map for two weekends before CNY. Members of the public can check online for real-time crowd levels before deciding to head down to Chinatown.
Insp Liew and SI Dalwinder at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. As the crowds grow and ease, the ERT officers continue to stay focused. If crowd safety thresholds in Chinatown are reached, the Police may lock down specific areas to restrict access to them. This is the same approach that was taken for the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown just a few weeks before.
It’s now late into the night but the job isn’t done for the ERT officers. “I love the vibrancy and atmosphere when I patrol in Chinatown; it helps to keep us alert,” shared SI Dalwinder. “Seeing the festive mood gives me a lift and motivates me even more to safeguard people.”
Heading down to Chinatown this weekend? Check the Crowd@Chinatown live map before you go!
