SURVEILLANCE cameras could be made mandatory in industrial areas in a bid to reduce crimes at worksites, labour accommodations and surrounding facilities.
The Southern Municipal Council yesterday unanimously approved an urgent proposal by chairman Bader Al Tamimi to have CCTV cameras installed and linked remotely to the Interior Ministry following a spike in illegal activities.
He said street vendors were illegally selling clothes, vegetables, fish and other products, while illicit salon services were being offered on substandard chairs and groups of workers were seen gambling and drinking alcohol in the open.
He added that semi-nude or fully naked men have been seen staggering around or sleeping in the open, transport services were being offered for prostitution, and cheap quality sexual enhancers and lubricants were on sale.
Mr Al Tamimi – whose constituency covers Askar, Jaw, Awali, Ras Zuwayed (Lahsy), northern Alba, and parts of Sitra and Ma’ameer Industrial Areas – also claimed there was a rise in cases of sodomy and other immoral acts.
“The situation in industrial areas without surveillance cameras is bad,” he said.
“Workers know that unless tipped off government officials don’t tend to check on what goes on at their workplaces, accommodations and surrounding facilities after 2pm or during weekends.
“Sudden inspections, which are rare, just clean up the place for a day or two before illegal activities return.
“Since the Interior Ministry obliged shops to install security cameras inside thefts have dropped by 98 per cent, road accidents where speed cameras are installed have dropped by more than 70pc, and I believe that such cameras would help reduce crimes in industrial areas.”
He said that some industries have willingly installed cameras, but the rest were not bothered.
Council services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulla Abdullatif said installing surveillance cameras would ensure discipline in industrial areas which, in return, would help investors get better operations and profits.
“Crimes disrupt work and spread insecurity and discomfort amongst peaceful workers who are here to make a living,” he said.
“When those planning or intending a crime realise they are being monitored they wouldn’t commit crimes.
“There are those who are determined to commit a crime, but the majority would think twice knowing that the police have a close watch on them.”
The GDN reported last year that food vendors, tailors and even barbers set up shops offering services and goods at a cheaper price compared with the small number of shops operating in Ras Zuwayed at the peak of the pandemic.
For example, a haircut costs 500 fils while clothes were being sold for between 100 fils and BD3.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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