Straits Times 22 Dec 11;
POLICE are urging the public to look out for suspicious activities at popular beaches.
Since April, posters have been put up at beaches including Changi Beach and those at East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park and Admiralty Road West.
A police spokesman said that they plan to put up more posters in other coastal areas frequented by the public.
The orange and blue signs are displayed at beaches in the east and north, which are more open to intrusion from other countries.
They aim to alert the public to activities such as entry by illegal immigrants, the smuggling of goods like contraband cigarettes, and the illegal berthing of boats.
'The police seek the assistance of the members of public to report suspicious activities, such as the unloading of items and persons, along the coastline,' a police spokesman said.
Visitors The Straits Times spoke to at East Coast Park said the posters were prominent and acted as a reminder for them to look out for anything unusual.
However, four out of 10 visitors interviewed did not even notice them until they were pointed out to them.
Some, like Canadian Rosanne Herbert, who has lived here for seven years, were surprised to see them.
'I never thought there would be some kind of danger here, but I would report it if I saw anything unusual,' said the 46-year-old aromatherapist.
The police spokesman said the posters have been effective in heightening public awareness of coastal security issues and educating people on the importance of reporting suspicious activities.
On July 22, for example, a family called police to report suspicious activity they had noticed.
Their nine-year-old son saw people transferring items onto East Coast beach from a boat and the parents called the police.
However, the activities were later verified to be legitimate.
