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OPENING ADDRESS BY ASSOC PROF HO PENG KEE, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND HOME AFFAIRS, AT THE NATIONAL CSSP AWARDS CEREMONY, ON 17 JUL 2009 (FRI) AT 7.15 PM AT THE HOME TEAM NS @ BUKIT BATOK AUDITORIUM
Grassroots Advisers,
Community Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
Good to see all of you at this year’s National CSSP Awards Ceremony. This is the 7th year that we are organizing this event, which showcases the most outstanding safety and security initiatives from grassroots organisations, schools, and our other partner agencies.
Evolution and Growth of CSSP
2 The CSSP platform reflects the need to build wider and deeper security community. Police, the SCDF and other security personnel cannot be everywhere all the time. Indeed, the local community knows the local terrain and community problems best. CSSP therefore provides a useful platform for the local community to identify and tackle such local safety and security problems, in partnership with the Home Team. When the CSSP first began in 1997, the focus was on fighting crime and juvenile delinquency and promoting road safety and fire prevention. 9-11 ushered in new security imperatives. The CSSP then took on an added dimension in the areas of homefront security and emergency preparedness – to prepare the community to be resilient during times of crisis.
3 Over the years, the CSSP has evolved to reflect changing concerns and threats. In 2008, the community worked on more than 800 CSSP projects, dealing with a host of diverse issues including terrorism and emergency preparedness. The breadth and depth of CSSP projects today reflect the ability of our community leaders to respond to the changing environment. I commend them on that.
Community Self-Help and Mutual Support
4 The spirit of community self-ownership and mutual support within a larger goal of community cohesion is core to the CSSP.
5 An excellent example of such community ownership and self-help is one of our award winners today, an initiative called the “Unlicensed Moneylender Intervention Project”. This joint effort by the residents and Police works at eliminating the distress and harassment wreaked by loansharks, with Citizen-on-Patrol (COP) members keeping a watchful eye over their neighbourhoods. I encourage more neigbourhoods to do this. Whilst Police will press on resolutely to tackle this scourge in terms of intelligence-gathering, enforcement and prosecution, those who are afflicted and others living around them can complement police efforts, doing their part to thwart these terrible loansharks and their harassers.
National-level Recognition of Outstanding CSSP Initiatives
6 Tonight, we recognise the best CSSP projects initiated in 2008 by awarding them the prestigious National CSSP Awards. These 20 initiatives stand out for their enterprise and creativity in identifying pressing issues in their precincts, and working closely with the relevant Home Team Departments and partner agencies to formulate and implement effective solutions.
CSSP Initiatives Involving Youths
7 In particular, I wish to highlight a few significant projects that have brought our youths onboard the CSSP.
8 One example is the “First Toa Payoh Secondary School Emergency Response Team” CSSP project, where students trained in life-saving skills acted as the crucial first response during emergencies in the school and neighbourhood. They participated in the Toa Payoh East Emergency Preparedness Day that was based on a mass casualty evacuation, fire and building collapse exercise. Through such involvement in the community, our youths can gain a greater awareness of the need for community self-help and support during times of crisis.
9 Another noteworthy initiative is the “Homefront Security Ambassador (HSA) Camp”. This camp was held to equip youths with awareness and skills in emergency preparedness, especially in the post 9-11 climate, by imparting safety and security knowledge and skills to selected student leaders. They also learnt about the Community Engagement Programme. I was there and saw their poster exhibition and skits which showed awareness of the need for vigilance and communal harmony.
A Caring Community and Safe Homes
10 Finally, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all the 20 deserving projects for your efforts. Well done, and thank you, for your contributions to the community at large. It is also my hope that such best practices and initiatives be shared amongst the grassroots so that we may all stand to benefit from the resourcefulness of like-minded individuals. I urge you all to continue to uphold and preserve the public spiritedness that has been instrumental in keeping Singapore safe and secure over the years.
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