How safe is Singapore?
Singapore has a reputation for being safe; indeed, the Australian government advises travellers to "exercise normal safety precautions."
My thoughts on this, based on decades of visiting and not being limited to the tourist areas, basically agree with the advice. While wandering around, I feel safe, plus I have found the vast majority of locals to be friendly.
For example, one of my interests is hunting down street art, which means I do lots of walking, and so far, my most productive hunting grounds have been back alleys. Some of these are not the sort of places I would go even back home in Sydney; however, in Singapore, I feel safe and have had encounters with locals that emphasise that feeling.
An example of this was me walking around late in the evening down some less than well-lit alley; someone came out of a building and, with a smile, asked me if I was lost or needed help. And no, this was not in the middle of the main tourist area; it was well off the beaten track. Anyhow, we had a good chat, and they pointed me toward some of the art I was looking for.
Reading more of the Australian Government's advice, it states, "Violence against tourists is rare" I would tend to agree, having never seen or experienced anything bad. The closest thing I have experienced is being approached in the street by people wanting to "sell things" or "read my fortune". But even with this, they have not been pushy or rude and usually accept uninterested.
Anyhow, I have heard some people calling Singapore a super clean, over-controlled state with fines for just about everything, police on every corner looking for people chewing gum, etc.
From many decades of visiting and extensive wanderings all over the island, I can say, yes, it's clean, with some interesting warning signs and cameras all over the place, but does it feel oppressive? Not to me.
As for police on every corner, I can, from personal experience, say this is basically "BS" as yes, I did see some around, but it was not any more than I see back home in Sydney, and from speaking to a few, I found them to be friendly and helpful.
Another example, while sheltering from the rain, there were a few police also sheltering; we started a conversation; they were asking where I was from, how I liked my visit, etc., and when the conversation moved to my hunting for street art, they gave me a few suggestions on where to go. In short, it was a positive experience.