Police announce plans to secure trade, tourist spots

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

Dubai Police will play a community role to enhance the sense of security and complement the ambiance of joy during Eid Al Fitr Holiday.

The Director of the General Department of Organisations and Establishments Protective Security Major General Abdulla Al Ghaithi congratulated the UAE leadership, police forces and the community at large on the occasion.

“The Events Security Committee and its strategic partners including RTA, Dubai Ambulance Corporation, Civil Defence, Traffic Department, Airport Security and CID charted out a plan to secure tourism and trade spots.

“As for parking spaces, there will be around 19, 000 spaces at Dubai Mall ready for visitors to the mall, 9, 000 at Festival City, 7, 400 at Emirates Mall, 8, 000 at Mirdif City Centre in addition to public parking lots around Dubai.

“We and our partners are working hard to ensure everyone enjoys the festive ambiance to the fullest,” he stressed and urged members of the public to be cautious and follow rules and regulations, to achieve this goal.

The Traffic Department Director Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei said, “We seek to ensure the security of mosques, malls, markets and other vital areas. We call upon the public to abide by laws and not park wrongly.”

“During Eid prayers worshippers are seen running across streets. Crossing roads at undesignated areas is very dangerous, particularly around Nad Al Hamar Musalla as it has been a major cause of fatal run-over accidents there.’ Last year a jaywalker died in a run-over accident as he rushed for prayers. Officers will neglect minor violations and distribute sweets but there will be deterrent fines for serious violations particularly those deliberated.”

Brigadier Ali Ateeq Bin Lahej, Director of the General Department of Airport Security said, “The airport security department works hand in hand with other bodies to provide excellent services to travellers during the period.”

“The main initiative we have is facilitating procedures. 70 per cent of flights are transit flights. It is our responsibility to protect them. We and partners meet regularly to ensure rescue teams respond swiftly to emergencies.”

Al Barsha Police Station Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Police Stations Brigadier Abdul Rahim Bin Shafi’ said, “There will be field patrols to secure tourist areas, shopping centres, prayer houses and Musallas. We are keen to beef up security and happiness.”

To this, Colonel Faisal Al Qasim, Security Media Department Director added, “Police will play the community role of complementing the joy but not as a police organ as known.”

Colonel Turki Bin Fares, Director of Dubai Police Command and Control Centre provided Toll Free number 901 for non-emergencies and 999 for emergencies, and the SOS service on Dubai Police App during trips to remote areas.

“We finalised preparations for diversions meant to guarantee smooth traffic flow. All this is meant to make sure visitors of a given mall, market or park don’t block traffic leading to another place where others are heading.”

The Director of Criminal Events Management at the CID urged parents to keep an eye on their children at crowded places as kids go missing during festivities.

“I hope this holiday ends without traffic and criminal problems.”

The director of the Search and Rescue Department Col Juma Ahmad Butti Al Falasi called on travellers to check on the weather and examine the safety of vehicles and vessels before embarking on desert and sea trips.

Colonel Ali Al Naqbi, the Director of Marine Rescue urged all beachgoers to take necessary measures before entering waters even as there will be intensified maritime patrols and teams of divers to respond to emergencies.

Civil Defence teams will be available around the clock to ensure safety for all, said the Assistant Dubai Civil Defence Director for Fire and Rescue Affairs Hassan Al Mutawa.

“Fire and rescue teams at the 26 civil defence centres are ready to respond to incidents.”

“The centres are geographically distributed in the light of the results of our studies of population density, operational nature of buildings and facilities and availability of safety factors or degree of risk in the area of competence of each centre.”