Man VS Bus captain
The first incident occurred on July 31, 2021, when a 53-year-old man reportedly yelled vulgarities at a bus captain after being instructed to properly wear his mask while inside the vehicle at Paya Lebar MRT station.
The bus captain had approached the man in his seat to tell him that his mask had fallen below his nose and needed to be pulled up. Following the bus captain returned to the driver’s seat after obeying, the guy allegedly blasted him with vulgarities. The 53-year-old man is presently cooperating with police investigations into his use of abusive language toward a public servant and his failure to follow safe distancing procedures.
Man Vs Safe Distancing Enforcement Officer(SDEO)
On August 5, 2021, a National Environment Agency (NEA) safe distancing enforcement officer (SDEO) was doing his duty at Geylang Serai Market when he came across an 81-year-old man who had his mask pulled below his lips.
The SDEO had approached the guy to educate him on how to correctly wear his mask, but instead of cooperating, the man reportedly threatened and insulted the SDEO. The 81-year-old man is now cooperating with police inquiries into his use of abusive language toward a public servant and his failure to follow safe distancing procedures.
Drunk Man VS Police Officer
For the third incident, on 7 August 2021, a 51-year-old male passenger had allegedly refused to wear a mask while inside a taxi. The taxi driver had observed the man to be visibly intoxicated and not wearing a mask at the point of pick-up. During the trip, the taxi driver had advised the man to put on a mask and even offered a mask to the man repeatedly, but he allegedly refused to comply. Upon the Police’s arrival, officers engaged the man to put on a mask but to no avail.
The man had instead allegedly hurled vulgarities at the police officers. The 51-year-old man was subsequently arrested for allegedly using abusive language towards a public servant and for allegedly causing annoyance in a public place whilst drunk. He is currently assisting with police investigations for non-compliance with safe distancing measures.
Man VS SDEO again
For the fourth incident, on 12 August 2021, an SDEO attached to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) was performing her duties at a coffee shop along Whampoa Drive when a 34-year-old man had interrupted her conversation with another patron as she was advising on safe distancing measures, and had allegedly hurled vulgarities at her.
The 34-year-old man is currently assisting with police investigations for using abusive language towards a public servant.
What they will face
Under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act, employing threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior towards or against a public official is punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Section 14(2) of the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015 makes it illegal to cause nuisance when inebriated. For first-time offenders, a sentence of no more than six months in jail, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both may be imposed.
Individuals found not wearing a mask or not wearing a mask properly outside their place of residence are guilty of a violation of Regulation 3A of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, which is punishable under Section 34(7) of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020. Offenders might face a fine of up to $10,000, a jail sentence of up to six months, or both.