The Riders-on-Watch (ROW) scheme was launched by the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom) in 2019, with the aim of preventing crime within the public transport network. Commuters are roped in as ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground during their daily commute, as an extension to the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) overall strategy in combating crime and terrorism. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the scheme.
Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development, attended the event as the Guest-of-Honour. The event was also attended by representatives from the SPF, and key partners such as the Land Transport Authority, National Crime Prevention Council and the public transport operators.
Since December 2021, the ROW had been subsumed as an interest group under the Transport category of the Community Watch Scheme. ROW members continue to receive alerts and advisories on transport security from the Police, act to safeguard our public transport nodes by keeping a lookout for danger and build a vigilant community through the sharing of crime prevention messages. The network now comprises a community of more than 8,000 members.
Individuals commended for Community Partnership Award (Individual)
The Community Partnership Awards (Individual) were presented to six members of the public for assisting the Police in various cases involving voyeurism and obscene acts, which occurred on public transport. The awards were given out at the Public Transport Guardians Event at Orchard MRT Station (Thomson-East Coast Line) on 18 May 2024. Six staff and four members of the public were also commended for their strong community partnership with the Police. A video featuring the contributions of selected ROW members was also showcased to highlight their positive contributions and encourage the public to sign up as members.
On 20 October 2023, Mr Reuel Hanan Murugan and Mr Muhammad Khairul Zambri Bin Kamsani were travelling down the escalator to the concourse of Botanic Gardens MRT Station when they spotted a man purportedly holding his handphone under the skirt of a female commuter. They confronted the man and called the Police for assistance. The man was subsequently arrested.
On 21 February 2024, Mr Lee Teck Oon Thomas was travelling up the escalator to the platform of Tampines MRT Station when he spotted a man purportedly holding his handphone under the skirt of a female commuter. He confronted the man and called the Police for assistance. The man was subsequently arrested.
On 29 October 2023, Mr Au Lai Yin, Ricky was waiting for his friend at Woodlands MRT Station when he spotted a man purportedly holding his handphone under the skirt of a woman on the escalator. He confronted the man and called the Police for assistance. The man was subsequently arrested.
These cases exemplify the importance of timely action which can be taken by members of the public to safeguard the community. The Police would like to thank our partners from the various agencies, and members of the public for working together to build a safer and more secure community. The Police would like to encourage more members of the public to come onboard the ROW scheme by signing up at police.gov.sg/volunteer.
Commander of TransCom, AC Masagoes Idris Hussain said, “The individuals we have showcased today are positive examples of how members of the public can contribute to the safety and security of our community. The ROW scheme, now in its fifth year, continues to be an important conduit for the Police to tackle security concerns, including crime and terrorism on the public land transport network. We look forward to having more like-minded ROW members join us to further enhance the safety and security of the network.”
Refer to Annex for photographs taken during the event.
Annex
Group photo of Mr Matthew Tong, Deputy Managing Director, SMRT Thomson-East Coast Line,
Mr Joseph Goh, Director, Security and Emergency Preparedness, LTA, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, AC Masagoes Idris Hussain, Commander, Public Transport Security Command, AC Charles Shng,
Director, Community Partnership Department (From left to right) ▼
Group photo of award recipients with AC Masagoes Idris Hussain ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 May 2024 @ 6:55 PM