Singapore will try shaming litterbugs
Source: Agencies |
June 8, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SINGAPORE, where painting graffiti can get you caned and drug smugglers are hanged, is trying a new tactic against the city-state's litterbugs: Embarrassing them in front of their neighbors.
After studying the causes of littering for a year, the government yesterday boosted police patrols of "littering hotspots," added more and larger public trash cans and warned that two or more littering violations could lead to sentences of picking up trash in busy public areas while wearing a bright orange vest.
"We will continue to take a tough stance toward litterbugs and improve the bin infrastructure," said Andrew Tan, head of the National Environment Agency. "Despite the progress over the years, littering remains a concern."
The shame campaign is the latest twist in a yearslong effort to reinforce a squeaky-clean image that helps Singapore regularly top expat quality-of-life polls. Singapore has one of the lowest violent crime rates and highest standards of living in the world.
Singapore also has a well-earned reputation for harsh punishments of minor crimes. Vandalism carries a fine of up to SG$2,000 (US$1,415) or up to three years in jail, in addition to 3-8 strokes of a cane.
The government hopes public cleaning assignments will shame Singaporeans.
Along with stricter enforcement of laws by police - litter offenses rose to 41,392 last year from 3,819 in 2005 - the government is recruiting volunteer "Litter-free Ambassadors" to scold neighbors who litter and to "adopt a zero-tolerance attitude towards litterbugs."
The heart of the anti-litter campaign remains a hefty fine - raised last year to SG$300 from SG$200 for first-time offenders - and the environment agency said yesterday it may raise it still higher.
The fine jumps to as high as SG$5,000 for multiple offenses, reason enough for most Singaporeans to toe the line.
After studying the causes of littering for a year, the government yesterday boosted police patrols of "littering hotspots," added more and larger public trash cans and warned that two or more littering violations could lead to sentences of picking up trash in busy public areas while wearing a bright orange vest.
"We will continue to take a tough stance toward litterbugs and improve the bin infrastructure," said Andrew Tan, head of the National Environment Agency. "Despite the progress over the years, littering remains a concern."
The shame campaign is the latest twist in a yearslong effort to reinforce a squeaky-clean image that helps Singapore regularly top expat quality-of-life polls. Singapore has one of the lowest violent crime rates and highest standards of living in the world.
Singapore also has a well-earned reputation for harsh punishments of minor crimes. Vandalism carries a fine of up to SG$2,000 (US$1,415) or up to three years in jail, in addition to 3-8 strokes of a cane.
The government hopes public cleaning assignments will shame Singaporeans.
Along with stricter enforcement of laws by police - litter offenses rose to 41,392 last year from 3,819 in 2005 - the government is recruiting volunteer "Litter-free Ambassadors" to scold neighbors who litter and to "adopt a zero-tolerance attitude towards litterbugs."
The heart of the anti-litter campaign remains a hefty fine - raised last year to SG$300 from SG$200 for first-time offenders - and the environment agency said yesterday it may raise it still higher.
The fine jumps to as high as SG$5,000 for multiple offenses, reason enough for most Singaporeans to toe the line.
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