'Does it give him the right to be rude?' Security officer blasted for yelling at delivery rider parking outside fire station
PHOTO: Screengrab/Google Maps
PUBLISHED ONJuly 26, 2023 7:02 AMByAshwini Balan[UPDATE JULY 27]
In response to AsiaOne's queries, Aetos said that the security officer was deployed to Bukit Batok Fire Station on July 25 to ensure that the entrance and exit of the fire station remain accessible to emergency vehicles including fire engines and ambulances.
Vehicles are strictly not allowed to park at the entrance and exit, said Aetos. This is to help facilitate the quick response of emergency vehicles, as well as to ensure the safety of other road users.
The company said that on the day of the incident, the security guard, upon seeing a food delivery rider park at the exit of the premises, tried using hand signals to guide the rider to park away.
"Despite several attempts, the delivery rider did not comply with the instructions and also refused to co-operate. The situation quickly escalated and resulted in the officer shouting at the rider," said Aetos, adding that they have apologised to the rider.
"While the officer is remorseful, his behaviour fell short of our code of conduct and we will take the necessary corrective actions with him. The security officer will also be sent for additional service quality training," Aetos said.
When contacted, SCDF said that they are aware of the video on social media showing the heated exchange between an Aetos security officer and a food delivery rider at the entrance of Bukit Batok Fire Station.
"We understand that Aetos has investigated the matter and the security officer involved has been counselled," said the agency.
"SCDF will work with Aetos to review the incident and look at how such situations can be better managed."
Was it an overreaction, or simply a misunderstanding?
A follower of SGFollowsAll Instagram page, shared a video of a security officer yelling at a woman for parking her motorbike outside Bukit Batok Fire Station yesterday (July 25).
The contributor said that the woman is his fiancee's mum, a delivery rider.
In the short clip, the woman can be heard asking the security officer outside the fire station: "Where do you want me to park?"
Instead of responding to her question, the Aetos employee can be heard yelling angrily at her and pointing at a bike gesturing that she should leave.
The contributor wrote in his post: "She is still a new rider, as can see from the P-plate on her bike. So she is unfamiliar on where she can or cannot park."
Stating that the delivery rider did not take more than five minutes to deliver the food, the complainant said: "Even if it's true she was wrong for parking there, does it give him the right to be rude when talking to a fellow member of public when they are not talking rudely to begin with?"
The man also shared that the woman "cried to the point of almost ventilating".
"Is this how a fellow security guard should act towards a M.O.P (member of public)? Is it just because she is a female rider that gives him the right to raise his voice at her? What if she got an anxiety attack due to her old age? Who will take responsibility?" he added.
The video has since garnered much attention online with many criticising the security officer for his behaviour and calling him "unprofessional".
On the other hand, others pointed out that there might have been a reason for the security officer to react that way, and that one shouldn't be quick to blame the officer for doing his job.
An Instagram user later commented on the post that they were there during the incident and that when the security officer first approached the woman, he wasn't shouting.
The passer-by said: "The bike was blocking the traffic and she refused to move the bike from the premise, resulting in the altercation."
"The road is for vehicles [including] ambulances, etc. Hence, he has the right as the guard to ask to move her bike. Like I said I was the passer-by who saw it and wont remember full details but still was there."
In response to the video, Aetos commented: "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Our team will thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate actions where necessary."
"If you have any further information or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out."
According to LTA's website, stopping a vehicle other than to immediately pick up and drop off passengers, goods or luggage is considered parking.
Parking or stopping at all times on the road or on the public footpath adjacent to the road is not allowed.
LTA states that you can only park your vehicle at stipulated areas in Singapore or you may be penalised for illegal parking for not doing so.
AsiaOne has reached out to SCDF and Aetos for comment.