Beer bottle thrown from height at MacPherson HDB near childcare center, investigations ongoing

A recent case of high-rise littering at a HDB estate in MacPherson has caused some alarm.

On Nov. 30, Tin Pei Ling, Member of Parliament (MP) of the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, posted on Facebook that a beer bottle had been thrown down from a high floor, causing glass pieces to be shattered everywhere.

"Agencies have been alerted and a police report was made," Tin wrote. "Investigations are underway."

She highlighted that it was a dangerous action that could have caused serious injuries.

Children might have been affected, as a childcare centre was nearby.

"Such callous and antisocial behaviour is abhorrent and unacceptable!" she added.

Public education efforts

According to Tin, high-rise littering has been a longstanding and frustrating problem in the MacPherson neighbourhood.

There have been various efforts over the years to educate the community and enforce against high-rise littering.

Following the recent case, Tin and other leaders of the MacPherson grassroots organisation visited the estate where it occurred.

They not only expressed deep concern about the problem, but also reminded the residents to take care and stay safe.

"We shall continue in our ground engagement efforts and seek stronger enforcement from agencies," Tin said in her post.

Killer litter cases

In September 2024, Shin Min Daily News reported that residents living on the ground floor in a HDB estate on Circuit Road experienced frequent high-rise littering.

Some residents set up awnings in the corridor area outside their units to prevent their belongings from getting damaged by high-rise littering.

These residents told Shin Min that objects ranging from cigarette butts and a knife to faeces wrapped in tissue had been thrown down from the flats.

Apart from MacPherson, other areas in Singapore have also been battling the problem.

On Nov. 25, Jeffrey Siow, MP of Choa Chu Kang GRC, wrote on Facebook that glass and ceramic items have been repeatedly thrown from height at Blk 802A Keat Hong Close. 

The National Environment Agency (NEA) subsequently deployed surveillance cameras to catch the perpetrator.

Can be fined

High-rise littering is a criminal offence in Singapore.

Offenders caught littering from residential flats may be fined up to S$2,000 for a first conviction, S$4,000 for a second conviction, and S$10,000 for the third and subsequent conviction.

The court may also impose a corrective work order, requiring offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours.

Top images from Tin Pei Ling's Facebook