ABU DHABI // More CCTV cameras, better surveillance and increased police patrols would help UAE residents feel more safe, a poll has found.
A survey quizzed Emiratis and expatriates on what they feel could be done to reduce crime in their neighbourhood.
Increased security measures and more visible policing were the most common requirements.
“Cameras installed in busy neighbourhoods to monitor people,” said one respondent. “Each building must have trained security with functional security cameras - costly, but effective and if people know of such cameras, crime rate would plummet.”
Another agreed.
“Cameras installed in busy neighbourhoods to monitor people.” he said. “Police should occasionally petrol residential areas at random times and especially at night time.
“Each building should have a security entrance door installed in case the security guard is not on call. On the street, foot and bike petrol is required.”
Another said: “Better security. CCTV cameras. Tougher security in my neighborhood.”
Many voiced their desire for more police patrols.
“Increased patroling frequency. Government funded CCTVs inside and outside residential units,” said one.
The survey revealed almost a fifth (17 per cent) never see a police officer on foot patrol and almost 4 in 10 (38 per cent) believe there should be more police patrols. Only 4 per cent believe there should be less.
“What was interesting was 4 in 10 thought there needed to be more police on foot patrol and the highest came from Sharjah,” said Lara Al Barazi, associate research director of YouGov. “Maybe they feel they need more because maybe crime is higher there and they would like to see more police to feel safer. And maybe because it is more populated as well.”
Respondents felt more cameras on the street would help reduce crime.
“CCTV cameras should be installed in all of the buildings immediately. Patrolling should also be increased.”
A common call was increased or better surveillance at high-rise residential buildings.
“Security guards are sometime not bothered who enters the building,” said one. “Security lock systems at main entrance of buidlings with personalised security entry codes for tenants would help.”
Others called for better awareness and education and harsher punishment for offenders.
“Make people more aware of the punishments they could get if they do crimes,” advised one.
Many respondents believed that preventing crime should begin at an early age.
“Teenager discipline for both girls and boys. Girls must learn self defense and boys must enroll in discipline programs, similar to the army and must be aware of consequences of their actions,” said one.
Another said parents should take more responsibility, saying: “There should be training for parents to teach their children a sense of culture, respect and gratitude.”
Another said: “Educate young people to the dangers of drugs. Sensitise parents to monitor children while playing outside the home and do not leave them alone.”
While one respondent felt improving relations between residents and police would improve crime levels.
“More community policing and police building relationships with people in the neighborhood,” said one of the survey’s 1,008 respondents.
“Police must be communicate with local people regularly,” said another.
More English-speaking policemen could improve the possible language barrier problems, said another, while several others advised plain clothes policemen and undercover spot checks would be a good tactic to tackle crime.
“Introducing a system which decreases fear and time spent in reporting crime,” suggested another.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
