THE role of local government inspectors could be expanded to help crack down on loutish and uncouth behaviour making life a misery for families in Manama.
Capital Trustees Board members want to see a crackdown on public nuisance, mostly late at night and during the weekends.
The board, chaired by Saleh Tarradah, says it has received numerous complaints mainly about vulgar displays by men urinating and spitting on the street.
“We should consider forming joint groups of inspectors from responsible ministries and government bodies to take action,” he said. “Well co-ordinated, sudden evening and weekend raids, in known trouble-spots, maybe the answer.
“Once violators are aware they could get caught, face swift and severe action and fines, word will soon spread in the community. It will make people think twice about behaving in such a despicable manner.”
Mr Tarradah believes training inspectors of various disciplines and expanding their responsibilities and widening their jurisdictions to cover public order offences, in support of the police, could make all the difference.
He admitted that government officials had raised concerns in the past of recruiting multiple task inspectors but he believes the suggestion deserves more consideration.
“I don’t see implementation to be difficult and through proper arrangements with the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry, an inspector could mainly do assigned duties and occasional other tasks given by other departments,” he said.
“For example, a health inspector could be deputised to act as an agriculture, marine, health and commerce inspector.
“The argument made during discussions with the government is that even if general powers are given, not all are specialised enough to carry out difficult duties such as these.
“Each workplace is obliged to offer an average of 30 hours yearly in training and it could be directed in specialised courses related to labour, industrial, food and hygiene, amongst others.”
Mr Tarradah last year urged the authorities for tougher implementation of the 2019 National Cleanliness Law after a video was circulated online showing a man urinating in an alleyway in Manama.
Furious people took to social media at the time to condemn the ‘uncivilised, dirty and disgusting’ behaviour highlighted in the post.
Bahrain’s executive municipal authorities and foreign embassies were also urged to carry out awareness campaigns among expatriates about local customs and what is considered indecent behaviour in public places.
Under the law, public urination and spitting are among a number of illegal activities that can attract fines of between BD50 and BD300. Mr Tarradah said the issue was not about collecting fines but more about finding a solution to the problem.
“Bahrain’s laws are comprehensive with the threat of severe action against offenders, but it is a matter of being caught red-handed,” he said.
“Spitting and urinating in public is happening despite stickers and signs everywhere warning against such actions but offenders think they can get away with it. The deterrent has to be the sudden appearance of general inspectors taking on-the-spot action as a violation happens.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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