{"id":8651,"date":"2025-11-03T22:47:38","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=8651"},"modified":"2025-11-03T22:47:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:47:38","slug":"anti-terror-drills-strengthen-community-bonds-more-community-partners-should-join-scheme-sim-ann","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=8651","title":{"rendered":"Anti-terror drills strengthen community bonds, more community partners should join scheme: Sim Ann"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 Many more people would have been injured if an alert member of the public had not spotted the unattended bag at CQ @ Clarke Quay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The man informed CQ\u2019s Company Emergency Response Team (Cert) officers, who immediately cleared the area of tourists and passers-by when the bag began to emit smoke. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The police were also alerted, while one of the Cert officers used a fire extinguisher on the bag. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With that threat barely neutralised, a loud bang was heard from a nearby driveway \u2013 a car had rammed into a bollard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Bystanders tried to help the driver and the one passenger in the white car but started running away when the driver came after them with a machete.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Luckily, the chaos and confusion on the morning of Nov 3 were just part of a simulated terror attack.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Exercise Heartbeat was organised by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). <!-- -->It<!-- --> was held at CQ @ Clarke Quay for the first time since 2017.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/2a2662d418e70c42579c341a077edfcc362b78e71f941c9bf5d929ca0190050a?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/2a2662d418e70c42579c341a077edfcc362b78e71f941c9bf5d929ca0190050a?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/2a2662d418e70c42579c341a077edfcc362b78e71f941c9bf5d929ca0190050a?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/2a2662d418e70c42579c341a077edfcc362b78e71f941c9bf5d929ca0190050a\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-screen tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">Exercise Heartbeat was held at CQ @ Clarke Quay for the first time since 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">More than 80 participants, including SPF\u2019s Emergency Response Team (ERT), ground response officers, paramedics and stakeholders responded to the \u201cterror\u201d attack at CQ, known for its nightlife and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs, observed the exercise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said she was happy to see the effective coordination among various Home Team departments and partners from CQ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said: \u201cIt\u2019s very important for various stakeholders to come together to exercise scenarios against potential threats because this can strengthen our community bonds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThis can allow us to check the relevance of our plans, and it really helps to enhance the effectiveness of our joint response during crises.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cI would like to encourage more community partners, including commercial partners, to join SPF\u2019s Safety and Security Watch Group scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What happens if there&#039;s a terror attack at Clarke Quay? | Exercise Heartbeat 2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zqb0mtoZzx4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In the exercise scenario, all hell broke loose as tourists, workers and passers-by fled from the crazed driver, who hacked a few people with his machete.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Some\u00a0of those fleeing the scene used their mobile phones to alert the authorities about the terror attack, which is a key aspect of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/staged-scenarios-will-be-held-to-teach-the-public-how-to-run-hide-and-tell-in-a-terror?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">SGSecure\u2019s advisory \u201cRun, Hide, Tell\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The police ground response officers who arrived quickly were met with a chaotic and bloody scene \u2013 the injured groaning in pain on the floor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The officers were supported by the ERT, who neutralised the armed man. The passenger, who was injured in the crash, was handcuffed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But it was not over yet. A lone terrorist who had left the smoking bag returned and fired a pistol wildly at people at CQ. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The situation escalated, with the man taking a hostage and threatening to kill him if the police went closer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"portrait inline-media-wrapper\" style=\"--aspect-article-portrait:1140 \/ 1710\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/c641c1a333123547d3914a40d9273d7e66aedd98e48a979dfd6584174dfac917?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/c641c1a333123547d3914a40d9273d7e66aedd98e48a979dfd6584174dfac917?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/c641c1a333123547d3914a40d9273d7e66aedd98e48a979dfd6584174dfac917?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/c641c1a333123547d3914a40d9273d7e66aedd98e48a979dfd6584174dfac917\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-portrait flex items-start shrink-0 portrait article-portrait object-contain mobile:w-screen tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">A gunman holding a hostage Exercise Heartbeat at CQ @ Clarke Quay on Nov 3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The police officers formed a cordon around the armed man from behind covered positions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Unknown to the terrorist, a police special unit team had also closed in. The moment the hostage made a dash to safety, an officer from the special unit fired two rounds at the terrorist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">With the area now secured and the suspect handcuffed, SCDF paramedics wearing Kevlar helmets and ballistic-resistant vests attended to the casualties under a protective police cordon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The injured were taken to a nearby area, where they were triaged based on the severity of their injuries.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e20c212d3763fef8dfe84048b4430be4da45866ed0e6d0fe48336e06bd1b9730?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e20c212d3763fef8dfe84048b4430be4da45866ed0e6d0fe48336e06bd1b9730?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e20c212d3763fef8dfe84048b4430be4da45866ed0e6d0fe48336e06bd1b9730?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/e20c212d3763fef8dfe84048b4430be4da45866ed0e6d0fe48336e06bd1b9730\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-screen tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">The injured were taken to a nearby area where they were triaged based on the severity of their injuries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Several security-related exercises have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/singapore-police-works-with-partners-to-raise-community-preparedness-faishal?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">been conducted in the community<\/p>\n<p><\/a> by the Home Team\u00a0since\u00a02015. Exercise Heartbeat has been held annually for more than a decade.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mr Ervin Yeo, chief executive officer of commercial management, CapitaLand Investment, said he is aware that CQ is a unique place that is \u201cquite porous\u201d, has a high footfall and has many entry points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">To deal with uncertainties, CQ has a trained security team who knows the entry and weakness points, and are able to work with tenant staff who go through training with CQ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIf tenants see it (a suspicious activity or an altercation) they\u2019re also advised to inform our (security) team,\u201d said Mr Yeo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Law enforcement officers would then be alerted to address the situation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Added Mr Yeo: \u201cI think the message is if you see something, please say something. But make the correct assessment before you actually get physically involved because there are people who are trained and have the right equipment and the right training to step into incidents.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/courts-crime\/anti-terror-exercises-strengthen-community-bonds-more-community-partners-should-join-scheme-sim-ann\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 Many more people would have been injured if an alert member of the public had not spotted the unattended bag at CQ @&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8651"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8651\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}