Sharjah: Five new police stations and new Civil Defence centres will open to serve new communities and a growing population in the emirate of Sharjah, a top official said.
In his first interview after becoming the police chief last year, Brigadier Saif Mohammad Al Ziri Al Shamsi highlighted a range of efforts by Sharjah Police to provide safety and security for its residents and enhance their quality of life.
Commenting on the measures being taken to prevent child-related falls from high-rises, Brig Al Shamsi said that parents may be prosecuted if their negligence is established in these cases. All cases of accidental falls are being referred to the prosecution, he said.
Referring to the role of police during the Al Nasser Tower fire in October last year when the incident led to massive tailbacks between Sharjah and Dubai, Brig Al Shamsi explained that the measure to close off the roads was taken keeping in view the safety of the motorists. He, however, admitted that the police could have alerted the motorists through SMS or through social media about road closures and advised them to take alternative routes.
Following are excerpts from a wide-ranging interview:
Q: What is being done to prevent crime in Sharjah?
Two things: preventive measures and law enforcement. Sharjah Police have drawn up a plan for early crime prevention, including an intense awareness campaign to spread the culture of respecting the law. Also, patrolling has been intensified on roads and in crime-prone areas.
The crime prevention programme has involved business owners, owners of residential buildings and residents. The implementation of the programme comes as part of directives by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who wants the police to do their utmost to prevent crimes.
The objective is to ensure the safety of society.
Sharjah Police have deployed 22 security, 12 police and 10 CID patrols in unmarked vehicles to ensure safety and security of residents.
A security culture programme for students has been adopted to tackle bad behaviour in schools such as absenteeism, smoking, bullying, and violence. Moreover, we are increasing the number of surveillance cameras in the emirate.
As a result of all these steps, the crime rate has decreased by 12.1 per cent in the first three months of this year compared with the corresponding period last year.
Q: Are you planning to open new police stations to cope with the rising population?
Five new police stations and Civil Defence centres will open in Sharjah. The new stations will be Al Taawun police station located at the roundabout of the Sharjah Expo centre; Al Qaryan police station, Al Dhaid comprehensive police station and will include a Civil Defence centre and office for Naturalisation and Residency Department.
Similarly, Al Madam police station and will also include a Civil Defence centre. Temporary custody buildings will be built for Al Saja’a and Wasit police stations.
At present, the emirate has 25 police stations, including 11 comprehensive stations and police outposts in vital installations like malls, hospitals and court.
Q: What is being done to improve the behaviour of motorists? What about more zebra crossings to reduce accidents and pedestrian deaths?
We are trying hard to improve road safety and are working with various authorities in cases where we find that faulty design of roads are leading to accidents.
For drivers, police launched 19 traffic campaigns and distributed 554,257 brochures last year. The police succeeded in bringing down the number of major accidents to three in the first three months of this year compared with 50 in the same period in 2015. The fatality rate declined in the first three months to 8.8 per 100,000 compared to last year.
We are focusing on several accident-prone areas, including Maliha Road, Al Dhaid-Sharjah Road, Emirates Road, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road and Sharjah Ring Road.
A third lane will be added and concrete barriers will be removed in two years on Maliha Road which witnessed 30 deaths last year.
The most common cause of accidents resulting in deaths is speeding, reckless driving and using mobile phones while driving.
Police impounded 1,870 vehicles for reckless driving, speeding and modified engines.
Last year, traffic accidents resulted in 158 deaths, 86 serious injuries and moderate injuries. The age group of the deceased and injured was 18 to 26.
Q: Do you have plans to involve expatriates in crime prevention and crime reporting?
Expatriates are one of our main partners in achieving security and reducing crime and we plan to approach different nationalities. We want to encourage them to interact with police and report any illegal activity.
People can call the toll-free number 800151 and report crimes, social and security issues.
Najeed service of Sharjah Police allows residents to report cases that can threaten the safety and security of the society and inquire about police-related issues. Najeed service can be used by residents, visitors as well as foreigners from outside the country.
The calls to this hotline are about fraud cases, financial blackmail, social issues, security cases, etc.
The service is available 24 hours, seven days a week and police deal with each case with full confidentiality and there is no legal responsibility for those who contact the hotline [See Box].
Q: What is being done to prevent incidents of children falling from residential towers?
Parents can be prosecuted for child deaths and they may be held criminally liable if a child dies from negligence. All such cases are being referred to the public prosecution who decide either to shelve the case or prosecute the parents. These kinds of tragic incidents have occurred frequently in recent years, leaving a painful and unfortunate impact on the families.
We are consulting with Sharjah Civil Defence, Sharjah Municipality and Planning and Survey Department on how to minimise such incidents by making some changes in window and balcony designs. Police have also launched an awareness campaign to educate parents on the risk of leaving movable items under the window or in the balcony.
The police conducted a study of these incidents and the recommendations will be implemented in the buildings.
Q: Sharjah expatriates complain that the response time of police is slow during accidents.
Sharjah Police are responsible only for major accidents and our patrols move immediately to the scene of the accident and regulate traffic movement. Minor accidents are handled by Saaed service [80072233].
One of the reasons for traffic disruption is that people gather around accident sites, blocking movement of emergency vehicles.
Traffic jams are a challenge and we are working to solve this issue with the cooperation of other authorities.
Q: What is the procedure for an individual to lodge a complaint against a police officer?
Anyone can lodge a complaint against a police officer through the Ministry of Interior website [https://www.moi.gov.ae/en] and the issue will be investigated.
Also, the person can come to me, our offices are open to the public and we take advantage of feedback from people to improve our services.
In one case, a motorist complained against a traffic inspector. I personally investigated the case and found that the motorist was wrong. He was shown his car on the camera and then he apologised for his wrong judgement.
Q: How do you operate in emergencies? During fire incidents, for example, the public perception is that police mismanage traffic arrangements, leading to traffic jams?
We have a special Crisis Management Committee that deals with emergencies and crises. This committee includes police, Civil Defence, Naturalisation and Residency Department and other departments.
The committee works efficiently and is capable of dealing with any crisis or emergency.
During the Al Nasser tower fire [that triggered a big traffic jam] in October last year, the building is located on Al Ittihad Road and most drivers coming from Dubai take this route. Also, police had to close off some roads for the safety of motorists during peak hour. One thing we failed to do is to send SMSes and messages on social media, asking drivers to take alternative roads.
Q: What are the top three challenges before Sharjah Police?
Reducing traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries on highways.
Reducing crime rates, particularly serious crimes and thefts from institutions, business premises and vehicles.
Tackling bad behaviour in schools — drugs, smoking, bullying, and violence.
Profile of the Sharjah Police Chief
Brigadier Saif Mohammad Al Ziri Al Shamsi was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police on April 7, 2015.
He worked as director of Eastern Region Police before assuming his new position. With a career spanning 29 years, he has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents, including cyclone Gonu, Al Baker Tower fire and Al Nasser Tower fire.
After graduating from Police College in Abu Dhabi in 1989, Brig Al Shamsi was trained in criminology and criminal investigation. During his career, he held several positions in the traffic and licensing department, became the head of Kalba police station in 2005 and the following year he was appointed at the Eastern Region Police Department. From March 2006 to 2015, he was the director of Eastern Region Police Directorate.
Born in 1967 in a well-known Emirati family in Sharjah, Brig Al Shamsi is married and has eight children — four sons and four daughters.
Helplines Residents can contact Najeed service by calling 800151, SMS to 7999, fax 06-5529000, email najeed@shjpolice.gov.ae or visit the website: www.shjpolice.gov.ae/najeed
2016 first quarter
3 major accidents
2015 first quarter
50 major accidents
Resident safety and security
22 security, 12 police and 10 CID patrols in unmarked vehicles are in service
2016 first quarter
12.1% decrease in crime compared with same period in 2015.
2016 first quarter
Decline of 8.8 per 100,000 in fatalities as compared to same period in 2015.
Focus areas to reduce accidents
- Maliha Road
- Al Dhaid-Sharjah Road
- Emirates Road
- Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road
- Sharjah Ring Road
