Don't encourage begging during Ramadan, say police

Sharjah/Ajman - The police say that begging in public places posed a danger and disturbance.

The police authorities in Sharjah and Ajman have stepped up measures to ensure security of residents and safe traffic movement on the roads during the holy month Ramadan.
Colonel Ibrahim Al Ajill, director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sharjah Police, said that security is one of the most critical factors that must be ensured in all religious, social, cultural events and occasions being celebrated in the UAE.
The force will also curb the negative phenomena of begging during the holy month. "We will raise awareness among the public on the same and seek their cooperation, to support our efforts in this area. We encourage the public to report the negative phenomenon and begging and not allow the beggars to make money illegally," Col Al Ajill said.
If members of the public want to contribute to charity, the police will direct them to use legitimate channels, such as charity organisations.
Col Al Ajill added that the phenomenon of begging at road intersections, mosques, commercial complexes, and in front of the homes posed a danger and disturbance to the public during the holy month.
The police official also warned against the use of fire crackers during the holy month, which poses acute danger particularly to young children. The CID is preparing campaigns against the use of fire crackers and appeals to the public to report any shops or street vendors who sell them to children in residential neighbourhoods.
Patrols 24x7 in Ajman
The Ajman Police, as part of its Ramadan security readiness, is deploying 40 security and traffic patrols to monitor traffic and negative phenomenon. Lieutenant Colonel Saif Abdullah Al Falasi, director of the traffic and patrol department of Ajman Police, said that 40 patrols have been deployed 24/7 to monitor the traffic movement and security in the streets.
The patrols will be deployed in internal and external streets, particularly before Iftar, while security patrols will be deployed around commercial and residential areas.
The official also urged motorists to exercise caution while driving, to reduce accidents during the holy month, especially the common tendency toward rash driving before Iftar. He noted that the traffic department usually exerted double the effort during Ramadan every year, with motorists likely to drive recklessly and at high speeds.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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