Is Singapore Truly a Police State?

I keep hearing various comments from media outlets, blogs, etc. proclaiming Singapore to be a police state. Just this morning Thom Hartmann sated that as the reason for it's low crime rate. It's system of "fines" for such things as gum chewing, jaywalking, etc. is supposedly keeping its population in line. Having spent several months in Singapore, I've never felt restrained by its alleged police control. Nor do I think its legal system keeps Singaporeans in check. I have a much different theory about Singapore's low crime rate.