WE NEED to crack down harder on the problem of littering ("Time to bin dirty old ways"; Tuesday).
We are not doing enough to shame litterbugs.
The National Environment Agency officers can use their body-worn cameras to record and expose litterbugs who behave in a hostile manner, and show what becomes of them, in a similar way that the US TV show Cops shows police arresting belligerent criminals.
Along with increasing the severity of corrective work orders, convicted litterbugs should wear colourful, clearly visible uniforms, with their names printed on them, and be made to work in high traffic areas, such as the Central Business District, Orchard Road or shopping malls.
We can also use people and technology to undertake more passive enforcement of anti-littering laws.
Cleaners should be given cameras. If they see an area that is consistently littered, they can take photos. A financial reward can be given if the photos are used as warnings or to build a case against the culprits.
With Webcam technology, HDB common areas or pedestrian thoroughfares can also be monitored. Facial recognition software can be used to identify culprits against their identity card photos.
Going forward, we must face a hard truth: If we let Singapore become dirty, it would be a sign that we have reverted to Third World habits.
I cannot think of anything that would honour our former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew more than to preserve, and even improve, the cleanliness and greenery that he has bequeathed us.
Eric J. Brooks
We are not doing enough to shame litterbugs.
The National Environment Agency officers can use their body-worn cameras to record and expose litterbugs who behave in a hostile manner, and show what becomes of them, in a similar way that the US TV show Cops shows police arresting belligerent criminals.
Along with increasing the severity of corrective work orders, convicted litterbugs should wear colourful, clearly visible uniforms, with their names printed on them, and be made to work in high traffic areas, such as the Central Business District, Orchard Road or shopping malls.
We can also use people and technology to undertake more passive enforcement of anti-littering laws.
Cleaners should be given cameras. If they see an area that is consistently littered, they can take photos. A financial reward can be given if the photos are used as warnings or to build a case against the culprits.
With Webcam technology, HDB common areas or pedestrian thoroughfares can also be monitored. Facial recognition software can be used to identify culprits against their identity card photos.
Going forward, we must face a hard truth: If we let Singapore become dirty, it would be a sign that we have reverted to Third World habits.
I cannot think of anything that would honour our former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew more than to preserve, and even improve, the cleanliness and greenery that he has bequeathed us.
Eric J. Brooks
