By Poon Chian Hui
The Straits Times, Wednesday, Oct 31, 2012
NEW street lights were switched on yesterday along the narrow back alleys of four areas in Geylang, in a bid to deter activities such as prostitution and illegal parking.
In a move that cost more than $200,000, some 32 lights have been put up in the previously dim back lanes of Lorongs 39, 37, 35 and 33.
Installed over four months, it is similar to two other projects in Geylang, with the first started about four years ago. This takes the number of new street lights to 133, said Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef, an MP for Marine Parade GRC.
"We are doing this based on feedback from residents and shops. When it is dark, there is more illegal parking and streetwalkers," she said, adding that residents are afraid to walk along the alleys as a result. "I often walk the area at night - and I can get quite scared sometimes too."
The funding is from the Government's Interim Estate Upgrading Programme. The request came from the Geylang Neighbourhood Committee, which had received many complaints, said chairman Fu Chuan San. She estimates that about 8,000 residents will benefit from the latest light-up.
The new lights are about 3.5m tall - much lower to the ground than the usual 6m-tall lamp posts. Prof Fatimah said: "Based on previous experience, when it is brighter, people don't like to loiter around."
Mr Eric Wong, chairman of the Geylang Serai Citizens Consultative Committee, said he has encountered people who loiter in these back lanes to drink alcohol, making a ruckus into the wee hours. "With the new lights, they may go to coffee shops to drink instead - and that is okay," he said. "It is much better than them lurking in the dark and scaring residents."
Residents of Regal 35 condominium on Lorong 35 hope the lights will put a damper on the vice activities along the street.
Civil servant Albert Sim, 55, said prostitutes started peddling their services outside the condo about four years ago. They could be spotted even at 4am. There were many instances of illegal parking as well.
"We were even prepared to put up our own money to install lights and cameras along the lane," said Mr Sim, who is also chairman of the condo's management committee.
Prof Fatimah said the initiative may be extended to other back lanes.