Dubai beefs up security and safety measures ahead of Eid holidays

The Dubai Police General Command confirmed its readiness to ensure a secure, safe and happy Eid Al Fitr holiday.

The security plan includes providing 412 patrols, 29 bicycles, 3,200 police officers, 62 civil defence vehicles, 122 ambulances, 442 paramedics, nine marine boats, and 165 lifeguards on Dubai beaches.

In addition to 60 traffic sergeants, 650 volunteers, and 2,400 security personnel from private companies deployed in the emirate's vital markets and commercial centres

Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Acting Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Operations Affairs and Head of Dubai Events Security Committee (DSC), explained that they had developed an action plan for all general department and police stations, through which they intensify patrols of all kinds on the internal and external roads of the emirate, and enhance their presence and provide all amenities for the emirate's citizens, residents and visitors.

Al Ghaithi said DSC has introduced a security plan that features securing all mosques and grand prayer grounds and deploying traffic, security patrols and volunteers across the emirate to ensure its security and safety and attain smooth traffic flow and reduce traffic congestion in collaboration with partners in the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The Dubai Police reminded the public to abide by the laws and not deal with fireworks and those who trade them to preserve public safety during the celebration of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday or any other events.

The Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2019 on "Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives, Military Equipment and Hazardous Substances" criminalizes trading in fireworks, importing, exporting, manufacturing or bringing them into and out of the country, and sets penalties for that amounting to imprisonment for a period of no less than one year and a fine of no less than one hundred thousand dirhams, or one of these two penalties.

Stepping Up Security Patrols

Brigadier Jamal Al Jallaf, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation at Dubai Police, confirmed their readiness to secure all streets and commercial centres around the clock in cooperation with police stations.

He noted that the department would dispatch military and civil security patrols to secure the emirate's neighbours and tourist attractions.

Al Jallaf called on members of the public who wish to travel during the long holiday to secure their homes and to subscribe to the Home Security service available on the Dubai Police app and website. He also urged the public to be more careful with their property and secure it adequately, not leave vehicles and their engines running, and pay attention to children inside and outside the home, in public places, beaches, and swimming pools. He also called on public members to call 901 and resort to the "Police Eye" service to report any suspicious activities or violations.

The Command & Control Centre

Colonel Turki bin Faris, Acting Deputy Director of the General Department of Operations, confirmed that the Command and Control Centre continues to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to receive emergency calls and reports and ensure a swift and professional response to emergencies.

Bin Faris said that the Dubai Police General Command always seeks to spread awareness and traffic culture among members of society, especially vehicle owners and road users, by organizing awareness programmes and campaigns throughout the year.

Bin Faris appealed to the public not to call the number (999) except in emergencies and to call (901) for non-emergencies and general inquiries.

6,214 Accidents

Bin Faris said that the command and control centre had recorded 508,590 phone calls from the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan until the 25th. He further revealed that they recorded 6,214 traffic accidents during the same period.

Bin Faris urged drivers not to be preoccupied with greeting messages and phone calls and to stay focused on the roads.

Bin Faris called on families to pay attention to children, especially in public parks and shopping centres, take more precautions, pay attention to their behaviour, and prevent them from accessing balconies and high places. He also appealed to parents to monitor their children when they enter swimming pools, not to leave them alone, even if they are good at swimming.

147 Traffic Patrols

Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of the General Department of Traffic Police, said they would deploy 147 traffic police patrols across the emirate to enhance the safety of motorists and road users over the next week.

These patrols will be mainly positioned near Eid prayer grounds in Deira, Bur Dubai, Zabeel, Nad Al Hamar, Al Mizhr, Jumeirah, Mankhool, and near Al Salam Mosque, Al Farooq Mosque, and Al Rashidyiah Grand Mosque. More traffic patrols will be positioned in the following tourist and commercial areas: the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, JBR, City Walk, Dubai Water Canal, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Festival City, Mirdif City Centre, La Mer, Kite Beach, Airport St, Al Seef St, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Rd, Emirates Rd, Dubai- Al Ain Rd, Al Etihad Rd, Al Khaleej St, Al Quds St, Amman St, Academic City St, Ras Al Khor St, and Jumeriah St.

"We have instructed our traffic police patrols and wardens to step up efforts to protect people's lives and ensure their happiness, especially during this happy occasion," Brig. Al Mazouri said.

He added that the Traffic Awareness Team would hand out Eid sweets and cards to motorists and remind road users to abide by traffic laws and regulations.

Al Mazouri further warned motorists to be extra cautious and slow down when driving in residential and crowded areas; he also said that pedestrians should be careful and only crossroads from designated areas.

Nine Marine Rescue Points

Dr Colonel Hassan Suhail Al Suwaidi, Director of Ports Police Station, confirmed the Force's full readiness to handle all emergencies during Eid Al Fitr. He reaffirmed the 24-hours availability of joint patrols from the 'Maritime Security and 'Maritime Rescue' to dispatch from marine rescue points with rescue divers, boat captains, Jet Skis riders…etc and professionally respond and handle emergencies.

"Our marine patrols are distributed across nine rescue points in Al Hamriya Port, Deira Harbor, Dubai Creek, Floating Bridge, Fishing Harbor 1 at Jumeirah One, Fishing Harbor 2 at Jumeirah Two, Fishing Harbor 3 at Jumeirah Three, Mina Seuahi, and GBR, Dubai Harbor, and Hatta," he added.

Al Suwaidi urged beachgoers to take precautions while swimming and diving, avoid sea currents and high waves, adhere to Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality instructions, and never swim when the red flag is raised.

Al Suwaidi further reminded beachgoers to keep within swimming borders to stay safe from strong sea currents and out of the way of Jet Skis and boats and called riders and sailors to keep a safe distance from people on the shores and refrain from distributing them with noise and water splashes.  

Hatta Police

Colonel Mubarak Bin Mubarak Al Ketbi, Director of the Hatta Police Station, confirmed their readiness to deal with reports of emergency accidents, whether in mountainous areas and valleys or dealing with traffic accidents in the jurisdiction area, noting that there are 15 patrols ready to organize traffic during the Eid prayers and holiday.