Netizens back Punggol residents’ actions against troubling teenagers, criticize police inaction

SINGAPORE: Several frustrated residents in Punggol have taken matters into their own hands after months of alleged harassment by a group of teenagers in their neighborhood.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the situation escalated last Tuesday (13 Aug) when residents confronted one of the boys near the playground under Block 226A Sumang Lane.

A female resident recounted a disturbing encounter with the teenagers on 10 August.

She was in a lift with four boys when they kicked the lift doors before they fully closed, causing a loud noise that frightened her.

The lift then unexpectedly opened on the third floor, prompting her to quickly exit in fear. She expressed relief that she was not trapped inside and that her young children were not with her at the time.

The incident left the woman’s husband angry, but they chose not to call the police, deciding instead to confront the teenagers directly.

On Tuesday evening, the woman’s husband spotted one of the boys involved in the previous incident.

When he approached the boy, the teen ran away, fell, and scraped his knees.

The husband reportedly chased after him, grabbing his clothes to prevent him from escaping.

This confrontation led to a heated dispute when the teenagers’ parents arrived at Sumang Lane.

The neighbourhood committee intervened and called the police.

When a reporter arrived at the scene, one of the boys was seen sitting on a stretcher with a bandaged right knee.

Several residents claimed that the group of teenagers had been causing trouble in the neighbourhood for more than six months, with some of them not even living in the estate.

In July, the teenagers reportedly played football, rode scooters, and broke into the top floor of a Punggol car park.

The police confirmed they were alerted to the alleged dispute at Block 226A Sumang Lane at around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

They reported that a 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention.

A 44-year-old man is currently assisting with investigations for criminal force against a person under 14.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Netizens defend man’s actions

Many netizens have voiced their opinions on Reddit regarding the recent incident in the estate under the Punggol West SMC, where a group of teenagers has been causing disturbances.

Numerous users defended the actions of the 44-year-old man involved, arguing that the teenagers needed to face consequences for their behavior.

Some Punggol residents expressed frustration, sharing that they had previously complained to the police about the teenagers but felt that no action was taken.

One resident recounted an incident where a teenager attempted to spit on their father’s head from the second floor and another where a resident nearly got burned by a sparkler thrown from above.

They lamented that despite repeated complaints, the police seemed to dismiss the issue, citing the teenagers’ young age as a reason for leniency.

Another user expressed scepticism about relying on the police to address such issues.

They expressed relief that the residents took matters into their own hands, given the lack of effective intervention from law enforcement.

Calls for accountability

Some Redditors argued that teenagers should face legal consequences proportional to their actions.

One user stated that even young people should face law enforcement, depending on the severity of their crimes, and warned that unchecked behaviour could lead to more serious issues as they grow older.

Others suggested that parents should face penalties if their children are not held accountable, proposing fines for parents as a means of encouraging better supervision.

Frustration grows over perceived inaction by authorities

Many Reddit users have questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement in handling the situation in Punggol.

Some expressed frustration over the lack of action, despite complaints about the teenagers’ behaviour.

One user criticized the authorities for their perceived leniency, wondering why heavier penalties, such as fines or caning, were not imposed.

They argued that the lack of enforcement has allowed such behaviour to persist, forcing citizens to take matters into their own hands.

Another user acknowledged that while the 44-year-old man’s actions were not ideal, they were a result of months of unaddressed complaints.

They suggested that without this confrontation, the harassment by the teenagers would likely have continued.

The irony of the inaction is striking, given that the SMC is headed by Ms Sun Xueling, who has been the Minister of State for Home Affairs since 2022.

Lack of playgrounds blamed for teenagers’ misbehaviour

One netizen argued that the teenagers’ actions might stem from a lack of recreational spaces, such as playgrounds.

They pointed out that today’s children are often deprived of opportunities to play and socialize, with facilities like basketball courts being locked even during daylight hours.