13-8-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a bold move to address escalating neighbour disputes, the Singaporean government is set to establish a dedicated Community Relations Unit (CRU) armed with cutting-edge technology to resolve conflicts arising from noise pollution and hoarding. This initiative, announced on Monday by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Ministry of Law, and Ministry of National Development in a joint statement, marks a significant step towards maintaining harmony in the city-state’s densely populated residential areas.
The proposed unit, which hinges on the passing of the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill in Parliament, will employ advanced noise sensors as part of its arsenal to tackle severe cases of neighbourly discord. Yap Yeow Chern, senior director of operations at the Municipal Services Office, elaborated on the unit’s approach, stating, “This dedicated Community Relations Unit will have regulatory powers and use technology to investigate and abate severe neighbour noise nuisances.”
At the heart of this technological intervention are sophisticated noise sensors, each equipped with eight microphones capable of pinpointing the direction, timing, and intensity of noise generated. These devices will be strategically placed in complainants’ homes and along common corridors for periods ranging from three to seven days, subject to residents’ approval. To ensure transparency, sensors deployed in communal areas will be accompanied by informative signage.
Addressing potential privacy concerns, authorities have emphasised that noise sensor data will be transmitted in real-time to Singapore-based servers for processing only, with raw recordings being immediately expunged. The data collected will serve as objective evidence, aiding officers in validating noise complaints and determining their origin.
The CRU is set to commence its operations with a pilot programme in the HDB estates of Tampines, running for a year. This trial period will allow agencies to assess the resources required and the feasibility of scaling the initiative island-wide. The unit currently comprises 15 members, including Community Relations Officers (CROs) with backgrounds in law enforcement and basic mediation, supported by auxiliary police officers.
Yap highlighted the necessity of such a unit, citing instances where residents evade traditional enforcement methods. “We have found that sometimes the residents will evade us – there have been cases where frontline agencies visit the suspected units and the noise dies down miraculously. When the agencies leave, subsequently, the noise comes back again,” he explained.
The CRU’s powers will extend beyond noise monitoring. Officers will be authorised to enter residences to gather evidence (with consent or approval), take statements from neighbours, issue mediation directions, and require the removal of nuisance-causing objects.
For severe hoarding cases, the CRU can apply for a Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) order to declutter affected units. In extreme cases of “severe, recalcitrant nuisance-making”, the housing board may consider compulsory acquisition of flats as a deterrent, though this would be a last resort after exhausting all other options.
These measures come in response to the 2,160 monthly reports of neighbour disputes received in the first half of 2024. While 90% of cases are resolvable through good communication and mediation, the remaining 10% of severe cases have proven resistant to traditional methods.
