Mirrors in HDB lifts aim to deter crime

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http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/mirrors-hdb-lifts-aim-deter-crime

For some months, residents at Jurong West had noticed the two panels of mirrors that had appeared on their lift doors, but few guessed their true purpose. Some thought it was to allow those in the lift to check their appearance.

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The mirrors, in fact, serve a rather more serious purpose — deterring crime in lifts.

Since March, 450 Housing and Development Board blocks in areas including Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong West have had their lifts installed with such mirrors.

With the mirrors, those in the lift can monitor the people behind them and watch out for crime.

A police spokesperson told TODAY the installation is a pilot project by the Jurong Police Division.

Offences such as theft, robbery and outrage of modesty are among the crimes that have been committed in lifts.

Crimes committed in lifts were not a common concern among residents, but said the move would act as an extra deterrent in addition to the CCTV cameras installed at most HDB blocks.

Apart from helping residents be more aware of their surroundings, the mirrors are good for self-security as residents can see what’s going on behind them when they are in the lift.