Do you get your car cleaned in the building? Police has a message for you

Sharjah - The police has issued a warning.

The Sharjah Municipality has launched a crackdown on car washers who pollute the environment while cleaning vehicles of residents - mostly holidaying abroad.
It has been found that the watchmen of buildings and some other workers - who are free in the evening - wash cars of vacationing residents and also of those travelling outside the country for long periods, said a municipality official. He added that these car washers do the job for a handsome amount that adds to their income. 
The residents and car cleaners are ignoring the regulation which bans washing of a car in residential areas. "This violation affects the environment as the dirty water breeds diseases and fouls the area. It also sullies the aesthetic look of the city and makes the place messy," he said.
Saeed Bu Rahaima, director of inspection operations at the Sharjah Municipality, said the civic body is continuing its inspection campaign targeting illegal car washers and tracking abandoned cars left by their owners on public streets. The drive will continue throughout the summer as part of the municipality's keenness to prevent distortions of the city's beautiful view and to monitor all negative phenomena in the emirate.
During the summer, many people travel out and their vehicles parked around their buildings or on sandy areas are cleaned and washed by hired watchmen or other workers to avoid confiscation. However, this is a blatant breach of law. "Vehicle owners travelling abroad must park their cars in the private parking lots, which are authorised to maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle until the arrival of its owner."
He said that car owners who pay illegal car washers to get their vehicles washed on public streets or residential areas will be fined Dh250, while the illegal car washers - including the watchmen of the building - will be fined Dh500.
The official explained that apart from being an illegal practice which mars the beauty of the country and gives a negative impression to visitors and tourists, it is also regarded as a threat to the legal and sophisticated car wash stations. The petrol station offers the car wash manual and automatic facilities and recycles wastewater in a professional and environment-friendly way and maintains the cleanliness and hygiene of the city, he added.
He said most of the car cleaners roaming around from one parking area to another while offering their services to motorists apparently are absconders. However, the problem is expected to be fixed when the authorities concerned launch their intensified inspection campaign after the expiry of the amnesty period.  
 afkarali@khaleejtimes.com 

• Sharjah