REACH 412 - What are your views on the Orchard Road busking curbs? What more can be done to ensure popular spots in Singapore remain safe even with large crowds?

(SK)

21 Nov 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:46 am, 21/11/2022] +REACH: Dear contributors,

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[10:00 am, 21/11/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

The National Arts Council (NAC) announced that buskers would not be allowed to perform outside seven Orchard Road malls on selected dates in December, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The busking ban will apply from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays outside these malls: Ion Orchard, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, The Heeren, 313@Somerset, Knightsbridge and Mandarin Gallery.

The ban was recommended to the NAC by the police in light of the very large crowds expected in Orchard Road during the year-end festive celebrations and the recent Korea Itaewon incident where a deadly crowd crush claimed the lives of more than 150 revellers.

💬 What are your views on the Orchard Road busking curbs? What more can be done to ensure popular spots in Singapore remain safe even with large crowds?

The police said that the presence of buskers and ice-cream sellers (in past Decembers before COVID-19) caused pedestrians to stop and crowd around those points, which further reduced the passable space on the footpaths and further impeded the flow of people. Thus, the implementation of preventive crowd control measures is "critical". 

The police hoped for the understanding and cooperation of all stakeholders participating in, or involved in the organisation of, the year-end festivities.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the Buskers’ Association said it was disheartened by the ban and called on the NAC, which oversees the licensing of buskers in Singapore, to reverse its decision.

The association said it has always worked with the security management of Orchard Road malls to ensure a safe distance between performers and the audience during periods of higher human traffic. The ban would also likely hurt buskers as they rely significantly on earnings from the increased footfall in December. 

📍 Year-end Orchard Road busking curbs: Crowd control measures necessary to ensure safety, say police

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/orchard-rd-busking-ban-during-festive-period-public-safety-cannot-be-taken-for-granted-says-police 

📍 Festive period crowd control measures needed at Orchard Road, public safety cannot be compromised: SPF

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/orchard-road-crowd-control-restricted-busking-during-festive-period-december-3086216 

📍 Buskers riled by year-end restrictions on performing at Orchard Road due to crowd control

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/busking-orchard-road-restrictions-booking-christmas-holidays-3079406

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[10:23 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Did we miss out one location which is Plaza Singapura?

Just in case, more busking will converge to PS?

[10:26 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Actually they will find place with most people? They still need to the crowd for money.

[10:27 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: The busking usually nearby each… don’t really have a control.. usually they like to be near traffic lights.. so people when cross can see them. Like example 313 to Taka that corner

[10:28 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: When too many people there is way to walk around.. or stop traffic to become walking street at high peak times

[10:35 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: 21 November, 2022

To: Our Distinguished Leaders, STB, Orchard Road Business Association and All Honorable Members 

Car Lite Nites?

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve:

Only for Christmas Eve nite and New Year's Eve nite. Any intend to close Orchard Road from the junction of Orchard Road and Scotts to the junction of Cathay?

Is this one way to accommodate and create more people walkway to include the entire stretch of Orchard Road?

Another reason is road safety even tough it will be a traffic jam nite and how about changing it to be "Car Lite nite" too?

     - - in progress - -

[10:36 am, 21/11/2022] +Jimmy Chew: Good that the government is proactively looking into the crowd control wondering if they are overeating. I thought the itaewon area have more marrow streets versus orchard Road. Hope the authorities consider innovative ways to balance the festivities and  the risk. Like what we did with covid. Do something unique rather than old method of banning. I feel they need to put more effort than just banning. (Old school principal method of control)

[10:42 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Anyway is hard to grab cab at that time.. no taxi wants to go in.. might as well just provide train service… often during my younger days… I walk home 🤣🤣 

Just too hard to get a cab

[10:42 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Road close from 7pm to following day 7am.

After 4am, to facilitate cleaners to clear all consumables and litters.

[10:45 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Ken, good morning!

Let's try out a Green Christmas, this is a once in a year opportunities to let the Public trial what's Car Lite ? Also for the policymakers to Collect Data too. How about the economics from the perspective of the Orchard Road businesses, any benefits or no?

Thank you.

[10:46 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Think better planning would be good to disperse the crowd.. every year same issue… last few years I have not been out not sure lol…

[10:46 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Did it get better?

[10:47 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: With grab at ridiculous price most would take public transport but hard to get on…

[10:58 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: 21 November, 2022

What is an inclusive Fun nite out?

Pure and simple, let's soak in the vibes and fun of Christmas Eve and/or New Year's eve by letting go the past year of stress and walk? 

Please don't bring along your pets ( just in case it needs to poo and pee) and especially your loud supercars too (less noise, heat and exhaust pollution too)? Parked the (super)cars elsewhere.

What's the point of stuck in the traffic jam along Orchard Road in the slowest motion to enjoy the beautiful lightings while in the car with your family or lover or your pets? Is this an exclusive way of enjoyments, perhaps so?    

    - - in progress - -

[11:13 am, 21/11/2022] +Grace: I think unlike the narrow streets of Itaewon, Orchard Road shd be ok

[11:17 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Yup.. unlikely to happen.. and cars are slower during that period.. and many drivers avoid the area

[11:17 am, 21/11/2022] +Jimmy Chew: Remind people to clear their rubbish is best 🤣

[11:17 am, 21/11/2022] +Jimmy Chew: LIke the japanese does

[11:17 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: 21 November, 2022

The Korea lessons?

One big pain and lessons from the recent Korea stampede is human to human jamming!

When an emergency arises there is no way to intervene because there is no room for emergency vehicles to enter the  stressed area, precious time wasted and where are the emergency equipments and tools?

Local?

In Orchard Road, should there be an emergency, where are the pockets of helps, entry and exit points to quicken the rescue leadtime and timeline? The entire Orchard Road is traffice jammed!

Besides the usual SPF presence to control crowds and order, will there be ambulances (firefighters) and medical personnel stationed at strategic points to just in case situation arises? Perhaps, it's all planned.

It's all about securing safety and having carefree fun!

     - - in progress - -

[11:18 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Jimmy,

One good responsible thing to do!

Thank you.

[11:20 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: Perhaps can consider staggered timing on some days

[11:21 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Hi uncle Law, good morning!

Welcome back!

Thank you.

[11:21 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: Time slot first come first serve

[11:25 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: Are there designated areas for them to perform?

[11:25 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: I'm not so familiar with the regulation

[11:25 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Staggered timing might affect their income.. and might not be effective slots

[11:26 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: And raining they might also want to have other timings

[11:26 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: Daily apply would be good.. but not practical for the busker 😅

[11:27 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: Weather can't be help. Same as those industry which can't work when the weather is bad

[11:28 am, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: When you choose to work in the outdoor, your worst enemy is weather, which somehow is not controllable

[11:29 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: If indoor think possible.. 

outdoor a bit hard. 

Some busker are full time. And might not be IT savvy. 

Then need additional manpower to handle the control. Not sure is it a effective way to control them.

[11:30 am, 21/11/2022] +Ken: The amount of busker on the street is it high enough to warrant resource to manage them 😅

[11:32 am, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Hi Ken, important point!

Wet Weather is one decider of unforseeable!

Thank you.

[0:08 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today’s topic 😊

We hope that we can keep the discussion related to the topic robust and active! 

Megan 😊

[0:50 pm, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: 21 November, 2022

Using Technologies and Aerial Survillances?

Flying high?

Existing streets and traffic CCTV systems may not be sufficient in a highly congested area to real-time controlling all situations?

Four drone command posts starting from Tangs, NAC, Orchard Central and PS. These launching posts can be at the rooftop of each identified building.

The objectives are to monitor crowd size, formation & congestion and traffic flow within and fringe of the targeted areas to include roads and alley.

Using QR codes along Orchard Road for public to feedback on any essential matters.

A central information centre to coordinate feedbacks on live and online with personnel on sites, foot patrol and drones.

It's all about SAFETY and having an enjoyable nite with zero incident!     

    - - in progress - -

[0:58 pm, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Accuracy and Numeracy?

"Draw" the entire Orchard Road into drone parameters.

These parameters will have accurate measurements of the number of people within a 50 square meter and so on moving like a conveyor belt.

Two the QR codes will have two way communication that is to establish a voice and or live video situational reporting, just in case there is an urgent need to assess such micro incidents.

The physical location of this person report will also be known.

No intrusion of privacy, all for the benefits of public safety!

[1:57 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Overcrowding and safety

1. Firstly, overcrowding is indeed a safety issue. 

I recently noticed that large crowd, especially weekend in the shopping malls can potentially trigger mishaps if overcrowding occur.

For eg., notice that some elderly, or some families who are holding hands of young children - are unable to clear the escalator going up or down - and people on escalator from behind feel that they are being blocked - and could cause accidents.

Imagine if overcrowding occurs, it could result in stampede.

2. Hence I will believe NAC concern about overcrowding at Orchard roads during the festive seasons is a real concern - especially the pedestrian path though wide - if overcrowded - can cause people to be push out onto the roads and cause accidents.

Also if buskers perform, people instead of moving- will jam the sites - causing people going into Orchard road to get stuck - and could trigger stampede if overcrowded.

[1:57 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Technology to monitor crowds

1. However, I will like to suggest the Government use technologies to monitor crowd level during the festive seasons - not only on the road in Orchard Road but also in popular shopping malls.

2. A technology that is particularly useful - to accurately map population number and densities to floor areas - are RF signals that are log to the Telco base stations.

I recall during covid time - an apps "SpaceOut" used the above technique to monitor and map out the crowd density to floor spaces in shopping areas, even in forested areas like parks --- to help to inform public and authorities the crowd densities per monitored areas.

I feel that similar "SpaceOut" apps - can be used to monitor crowd buildup in Orchard road during festive seasons - and broadcast in mainstream news, social media and other sources --- to inform people not to go to Orchard if signs of overcrowding occur.

MRT, - which is the major conduit of transporting people to Orchard road - should also prevent boarding to Orchard road -if "SpaceOut" discovered overcrowding.

Because as more people crowd the Orchard areas, telco base station syslog or access logs - will have an overwhelming RF handshake and record entries from the smartphones - accurately indicating the numbler of people in the areas - and the road densities will not be able to accomodate.

3. Another technology - which is the CCTV along the Orchard areas and shopping malls with video analytics and AI - will be able to pick up people faces and do a count - and map against floor areas --- to determine whether overcrowding occurs.

4. Some people may suggest using drone to monitor the crowd - but may not be a good idea due to safety concern - as flying drone can lose control and drop out from the sky onto the crowd or vehicles.

Thought that drones shouldn't operate in crowded areas.

 

[2:01 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Previous example of space out to monitor crowd densities - during covid.

[2:01 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

The National Arts Council (NAC) announced that buskers would not be allowed to perform outside seven Orchard Road malls on selected dates in December, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The busking ban will apply from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays outside these malls: Ion Orchard, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, The Heeren, 313@Somerset, Knightsbridge and Mandarin Gallery.

The ban was recommended to the NAC by the police in light of the very large crowds expected in Orchard Road during the year-end festive celebrations and the recent Korea Itaewon incident where a deadly crowd crush claimed the lives of more than 150 revellers.

💬 What are your views on the Orchard Road busking curbs? What more can be done to ensure popular spots …

[2:04 pm, 21/11/2022] +Poh S. Lim: Well thought out, Danny. Good points made.

[2:22 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/emergency-mrt-station-causes-concerns-about-potential-stampede-mrt-says-staff-deployed

Emergency' at MRT station causes concerns about potential stampede, SMRT says staff deployed to control crowd.

[2:42 pm, 21/11/2022] +Smiley face: Prohibited items?

sparkling sticks, fire crackers, glass bottles, sales and consumption of alcohols while walking, standing or sitting, pepper spray.

[2:59 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Busker incomes

1. Next buskers' income come into mind.

2. Some buskers are doing full-time busking - and rely on busking during festive period to earn a few month income.

3. While some buskers are doing part-time busking - to supplement their full-time jobs or students doing busking to earn some pocket money.

4. Honestly, unless there is a big open field at Orchard road - carve out into modular spaces for buskers to perform - rather than allowing them to do busking on busy pedestrian path and block crowd movement that could cause stampede or spill onto the roads - there are no other  ways to allow busking during festive seasons.

5. Wonder is there a big field space at Orchard road - that allow to do busking performance safely except Isatana?

I only worry that if Istana is open up for busking - will it affect the decorum and prestige of Presdient House.

[3:21 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Defeats the whole idea of busking if need designated areas like a field. Busking serves to promote livening up the atmosphere of a street scene and not for providing incomes to buskers solely

[3:22 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Then busking need to take a back seat - if overcrowding do happen - whereby safety is paramount.

[3:23 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Can lah. Just perhaps manage the crowd or control during festive times

[3:24 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

NAC say cannot woh.

[3:24 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Guess this is a precaution after the Seoul incident

[3:25 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Selected dates mah. Isn't it?

[3:25 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Don't understand ...

[3:25 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes it is.

Recently I noticed crowd in shopping areas very high

[3:26 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: NAC only not allowing on selected dates for selected locations no?

[3:26 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Expect crowd control measures till lunar new year

[3:26 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hmmm...

That means you agree with nac arrangement.

But buskers not happy - they say it hit their income.

[3:27 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

If safety is concern, I don't mind.

[3:27 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: I only can say info should have come out sooner

[3:28 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Cannot please everybody mah. Buskers should understand why mah. Afterall it's give & take. Public safety comes first

[3:28 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Then I got no disagreement with you.

[3:32 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: That may be the case but better to be safe than sorry.  My heart still goes out to the performers who were short changed by no advance notice!

[3:32 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Actually busking started as a form of outlets for artistes to practise their art as well as entertainment and earning some extra income as a side. The income part shouldn't be the priority

[3:32 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

There are some full time buskers who only rely on busking for a living.

[3:33 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: I don't agree on the income not being of concern!

[3:33 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: If income is their priority then they should do their gigs in the entertainment joints

[3:33 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Festive season is in Dec.

Now mid November - 2 weeks advance notice.

[3:33 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Maybe you should be in their shoes!?

[3:34 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Ya no harm in that and they have the whole year to do that save that few periods no?

[3:34 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I agree and can emphatise with them.

Thus I suggest using open field.

[3:35 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Well I can't say on their behalf.

Let the buskers who got direct hit - say for themselves.

[3:39 pm, 21/11/2022] +Simon: Ya open field but will the crowd go there just to watch? I mean other than the cathay location will one intentionally travel to a specific location just to watch their performance? So I'm sure this will not please the buskers as well

[3:41 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

That's why, both NAC and the buskers should sit down and talk.

1. Address safety.

2. Address busking income.

--- come out with a win win solutions - acceptable to both parties addressing the 2 concerns.

[4:40 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today’s topic 😊

We hope that we can keep the discussion related to the topic robust and active! 

Megan 😊

[4:54 pm, 21/11/2022] +Wai Xin: Control to avoid stampede is inevitable when the tragedy in Korea is something that may happen here. From the authority perspective they don't want to be caught in a cross fire when stampede actually happens. As one life lost to stampede is already one life too many.

But busking is not the only cause of concern, even without buskers, the merlion near jubilee bridge is already a place pack with crowd and tourists. 

As for busking, perhaps the venue can be shift indoors and let buskers become artists in mall. this will allow them to earn an income, maintain the festive spirit, but the care will have to pass on to the mall operators to prevent crowding.

[5:38 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Busking indoors at this time frame is too late to consider.

[5:39 pm, 21/11/2022] +Uncle Law: Perhaps more manpower to assist in crowd control

[5:40 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: This is another headache!  Manpower crunch every where during festive season

[5:41 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: It takes more than This!

[5:56 pm, 21/11/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Shopping mall usually lease out the space for a fees.

I don't think they give it out free for buskers.

Also need to decorate the place cost money, arrange security so many  entry and exit, control crowd etc 

Also need authority clearance - time I think is short.

[5:56 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Agree

[6:00 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

The National Arts Council (NAC) announced that buskers would not be allowed to perform outside seven Orchard Road malls on selected dates in December, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The busking ban will apply from 7pm to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays outside these malls: Ion Orchard, Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City, The Heeren, 313@Somerset, Knightsbridge and Mandarin Gallery.

The ban was recommended to the NAC by the police in light of the very large crowds expected in Orchard Road during the year-end festive celebrations and the recent Korea Itaewon incident where a deadly crowd crush claimed the lives of more than 150 revellers.

💬 What are your views on the Orchard Road busking curbs? What more can be done to ensure popular spots …

[6:45 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[6:56 pm, 21/11/2022] +GLCM: I'm curious if the Buskers Assoc had any inputs to alleviate the crowding issues.

Probably a dialogue to generate more ideas ahead of other upcoming festive seasons can provide alternatives.

[6:58 pm, 21/11/2022] +Rama: Did NAC dialogue with them prior to the sudden announcement after request to halt performance as requested by spf!?

[6:59 pm, 21/11/2022] +Brandon Lin: My humble view on the ban on busking curbs during festive celebrations: 

The ban will definitely be saddened by those who husk for a living. I felt, crowd controlling during festive seasons is important. The itaewon incident is one such lesson learnt. However, there’s always alternatives for those buskers. Perhaps allocating specific space for them to do so where crowds can still gather and also have the space to move about. Allocation can be discussed with the Malls operator to specify the spaces for the buskers.

As for large crowd control, during festive seasons and when we expect large crowd to gather, perhaps more security officers can be deployed on the ground to survey and monitor the situation. It’s really difficult to predict when and where the crowds would gather together. So planning can be done with the Orchard association and mall operators on this. To mark out where are the Red zones or Danger zones should large crowd occurs and prone to dangers should evacuation is required. The same applies to Concerts or large scale event organising. Just that in public spaces, it will be difficult to predict where it will occurs.

So in orchard road or anywhere else where large crowds May occurs during festive seasons, the necessary authorities should work with different agencies and the Mall operators to cooperate on the crowd management rather than just ban buskers without any comments.

[7:01 pm, 21/11/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

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