NEA investigating smoker who was caught red-handed on thermal camera at Bedok HDB common corridor

SINGAPORE — The National Environment Agency (NEA) has approached a Bedok resident for information after a smoker was repeatedly caught on camera smoking along a common corridor at an HDB block.

The NEA served a letter on June 6 to the occupant of a unit at Block 620 Bedok Reservoir Road, requesting assistance with ongoing investigations.

Since February, the agency has received 13 complaints from the block’s residents about smoking in prohibited areas.

Following multiple rounds of surveillance at the block, including the deployment of a thermal camera, the NEA identified a possible culprit.

In a statement, an NEA spokesperson said: “During our thermal camera deployment at this block, a subject was seen smoking along the corridor on 12 occasions.”

The agency subsequently served a letter to the lessee of a unit in the block.

The NEA said in its letter that it had obtained video recordings showing “people smoking at the corridor… and entering/exiting from the unit”, and the offences allegedly took place between April 11 and 14, from 4.30pm to 11.20pm.

USE OF THERMAL CAMERAS

Since January, NEA has used thermal cameras to enhance its enforcement operations, and has deployed them on about 70 occasions in residential areas and other places with persistent smoking complaints.

The thermal cameras — which are able to detect objects emitting high heat and capture images of smoking offences — are focused only on areas where smoking is prohibited, such as common corridors, lift lobbies or staircase landings.

The NEA noted that it is mindful of privacy issues and has “strict protocols” in place, for example, only authorised NEA staff and its vendor can view and handle the recorded footage for official purposes.

In addition, footage that does not contain smoking offences will be destroyed after three months.

“We would like to remind members of the public that smokers should not light up at places where smoking is prohibited, such as in void decks, corridors and lift lobbies within residential blocks,” said NEA in its statement.

Anyone caught smoking in a prohibited area is liable to a S$200 fine. If convicted in court, the offender may be liable to a fine of up to S$1,000.

“NEA will continue to take enforcement action against smokers who flout the law,” the agency added.