The Boys Watching Over Lengkok Bahru
Every afternoon, four boys trade their school uniforms for black patrol gear and green safety vests before setting off around Lengkok Bahru.
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Every afternoon, four boys trade their school uniforms for black patrol gear and green safety vests before setting off around Lengkok Bahru.
Armed with walkie-talkies, sharp eyes and a willingness to help, Didie Andiqa Muhaimin, 14, Rafieq Sahin Rafizal, 12, Al-Mirza Danish, 12, and Aaron Sarandev, 11, spend their afternoons looking out for the neighbourhood they proudly call home.
They are members of Emergency Response Team LB (ERT LB), a youth-led neighbourhood patrol that has become a familiar sight around the estate.
Their mission is simple but meaningful: to look out for fire hazards, corridor obstructions, cleanliness issues and residents who may need assistance.
And this National Day, their efforts will take them beyond Lengkok Bahru and onto one of Singapore’s biggest stages – the National Day Parade.
From a Small Idea to a Bigger Mission
ERT LB began with a much smaller purpose.
Marlina Yased, founder of the Lengkok Bahru Community Fridge, had grown concerned about repeated misuse of a community milk fridge meant for children from lower-income families.
When she shared her concerns with her son, Rafieq, he suggested starting a patrol to look after the community items.
Marlina encouraged him to think bigger.
“I told him that he needed to create a logo, a name and a brand where people can recognise you and know why you are here,” she recalled.
With her guidance, the boys officially began patrolling Lengkok Bahru in August 2025.
Before long, their mission expanded beyond safeguarding the community fridge. The boys began walking block by block, learning to spot everyday issues that could affect residents.
“When I realised there were elderly residents who had passed away alone at home, and there had been fires in the estate, I knew we could do more,” Marlina said.
She also teaches the boys to look beyond what is immediately visible.
A puddle along a corridor, for example, may appear to be simply a cleanliness issue. But understanding how it came about could sometimes point to a resident who may require assistance.
Through these everyday observations, the boys are learning not only to be vigilant, but also to be empathetic.
Learning to serve
On most patrol days, the boys return home after school to complete their homework before gathering at their base at the void deck of Block 59 Lengkok Bahru.
Marlina and fellow volunteer Mimasu divide them into teams of two and guide them through different parts of the estate.
Each patrol lasts about one and a half hours, with regular breaks for water, drinks and biscuits.
At the end of every patrol, the boys gather for a debrief and report what they have observed. Marlina then shares relevant feedback with the Town Council team on the ground so that the appropriate follow-up can be carried out.
“Whenever the boys identify something, I’ll speak to the Town Council supervisor on the ground,” Marlina said. “We make friends. The boys have bonded with them too.”
Depending on the issue, the Town Council’s property team may arrange repair works, refer cleanliness or illegal dumping matters to the conservancy team, or follow up with residents who may require assistance.
Over time, this working relationship has become an important part of the boys’ patrol routine.
Growing Along the Way
Perhaps the biggest change has been in the boys themselves.
“What I see is that they go to school regularly now because they want to bring their game to the next level,” Marlina said. “The whole school, the students and teachers, now recognise what they are doing.”
Mimasu has noticed the transformation too.
“At first, they were kind of lazy,” she said with a laugh. “They didn’t really want to patrol the whole of Lengkok Bahru. But now they’re more disciplined and they try their best to cover the entire estate instead of just one or two blocks.”
Despite the growing commitment, Marlina makes sure that school remains the boys’ priority.
During examination periods, patrols are shortened so they have more time for revision and homework. Team-bonding activities are also organised from time to time, giving the boys an opportunity to relax and enjoy being children.
Taking Lengkok Bahru to the National Day Parade
This year, the boys, together with Marlina and Mimasu, will represent Lengkok Bahru at the National Day Parade.
The invitation, which came through the team’s Instagram page, was completely unexpected.
“We were so excited and really looking forward to it,” Marlina said. “It’s our first time putting our foot in the National Stadium, not as an audience, but as participants.”
For the boys, the news was just as exciting.
“It was exciting. It was a surprise,” they said.
For Marlina, the opportunity is not only recognition for ERT LB, but also for the wider Lengkok Bahru community that has supported them from the beginning.
“We’re just that small group that brings Lengkok Bahru’s name, and everyone in this neighbourhood’s name, to the next level,” she said.
Their efforts have even inspired others. A group of children in Tampines recently started their own neighbourhood patrol after learning from ERT LB.
A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way
As ERT LB continues to grow, Marlina hopes residents will remember that behind the uniforms and walkie-talkies are four young boys simply trying to make their neighbourhood a better place.
“We hope you give us your endless support,” she said. “Be kind to these boys because they are doing this out of their goodwill. We want to be able to give an extra helping hand to our neighbourhood.”
Mimasu echoed the sentiment.
“Don’t be a stranger to the boys,” she said. “If you see them around, encourage them because sometimes they are very tired. And if you need help, don’t be shy just call out to them.”
Rain or shine, the four boys continue making their rounds around Lengkok Bahru.
So, the next time you spot the ERT LB boys on patrol, give them a smile, a wave or a simple word of encouragement.
For four young boys choosing to spend their afternoons serving their community, that small gesture is a reminder that their efforts are seen, appreciated and making a difference.
