A sweeping crackdown is being proposed across Bahrain to address increasing incidents of vandalism and unruly behaviour in public parks, as authorities and community leaders voice concern over disturbing trends caught on viral videos.
Footage circulating online has shown groups of children vandalising park facilities, tearing down signs and engaging in destructive behaviour.
In some clips, adults have been heard shouting out aggressively at the yobs in the early hours of the morning, raising alarm over deteriorating discipline and a ‘lack of respect’.
Community leaders are urging parents and schools to play a greater role in instilling respect for public property and neighbourhoods.
In response, the Capital Trustees Board has formally called on the Interior Ministry to take a firmer stance on law enforcement in parks, especially concerning public property damage and disturbances caused by gangs of noisy youths.
Although stronger legal action is on the table, board chairman Saleh Tarradah has stressed that societal and educational interventions should take precedence.
“Awareness from within homes and schools is better,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that not all cases can be resolved through it alone, and that some individuals – both children and adults – may need to be held accountable.
“There are particular cases that require discipline and teaching those involved a lesson,” he explained. “There are some who consider public parks as a dumping ground or a boxing ring.”
He added that he hoped such shenanigans would end if Bahrain eventually implemented ‘Singaporean-like rules’ in the future.
The typically refers to Singapore’s strict regulations and emphasis on order, cleanliness and public behaviour. These rules are known for being enforced with fines and penalties, and they cover a wide range of actions.
‘Don’t litter; don’t vandalise public property; don’t chew gum’. Singapore, which Condé Nast Traveler readers named one of the best cities in the world in 2024, has laws so famously stringent that T-shirts gently poking fun at them make popular tourist souvenirs.
Mr Tarradah also pointed to the limitations faced by civic initiatives, such as the Public Park Friends programme, which encourages volunteers to monitor parks and promote cleanliness.
“The Public Park Friends is a successful initiative,” he said. “But at 2am, or when facing certain unruly individuals, they can’t do anything. Even when the police arrive, the culprits have already fled.”
Echoing Mr Tarradah’s concerns, board vice-chairwoman Khulood Al Qattan warned that the situation is ‘spiralling out of control’ and should be addressed swiftly and decisively.
“It is often a small group of children or ignorant individuals destroying public property, on the basis that it’s ‘cool’,” she claimed. “No, it’s not – and someone has to shoulder the cost of repairs and set an example for offenders.”
Ms Al Qattan emphasised that the behaviour of a few was affecting the enjoyment and safety of the wider community, adding that the financial burden of vandalism ultimately fell on taxpayers.
“This potential shift in enforcement policy marks a growing push in Bahrain to uphold civic values and protect public assets,” she said.
“We are willing to adopt stricter standards of public conduct and cleanliness that includes fines, community service requirements, or even criminal charges for repeated or severe offenders – a significant departure from the more lenient, education-first approach that has characterised Bahrain’s municipal policy until now.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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