Dubai - Police beef up security in Downtown tonight with 4,000 cameras to monitor celebrations.
Published: Wed 30 Dec 2015, 11:00 PM
Updated: Fri 1 Jan 2016, 2:18 AM
With about two million people expected in and around the Shaikh Mohammed Boulevard, The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa to watch the elaborate fireworks, the Dubai Police has appointed a special task force to keep things in order.
Colonel Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, head of the Event Security Committee and director of the Department of Protective Security at the Dubai Police, said 5,000 personnel from various government departments, including 200 firefighters and 30 fire engines will be on standby near the Burj Khalifa to help avoid any chaos during the elaborate celebrations. Also, CID officials will be available at 214 locations in the celebrations areas.
3 tips for a hassle-free New Year bash
> Do not carry any large bags
> Take care of children and protect them from the crowd
> Get wrist labels at gates where you can write down the details of the child on this band
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Al Marri said that preparations for the D-Day had started two months ago and included inspection of locations where firecrackers were stored and all the locations from where they will go off. He said that the Dubai Civil Defense has put comprehensive plans for intervention and dealing with all emergencies.
The Burj Khalifa has been fitted with 400,000 lights, in addition to other lights in the surrounding buildings ,
The police operation room will get direct footage from the 4,000 CCTV cameras covering the area, as it is quite a challenge to oversee not only the two million people gathered but also to ensure smooth movement of traffic in the area.
During a Press conference held on Monday to announce the security plans, Al Marri said that all preparations were completed and all the security, traffic and services staff were ready to face the revellers rush. Five big screens have been put up - 2 in Al Sufouh area, 2 in JBR and one huge screen in the Kite Beach area .
Talking about jaywalkers who even cross the Shaikh Zayed Road on New Year's night, Al Marri urged the public to abide by the police instructions and from refraining from such practices as it would lead to traffic jams and abiding by the police instructions by following the signboards.
Roads to be closed by 9pm
Advisory: Careful with your drink
Commuters, residents, tourists - everyone in Dubai - will do well to heed the law, and not be caught consuming suspect beverages that could land you into trouble.
Be warned, alcohol consump-tion is illegal, and if you're caught with a whiff of the stuff on your breath, whether in the metro or in a public place - you might land in jail, besides being heavily fined. It's not enough to not drink and drive.
Don't drink and take cabs either. One complaint, one cop, and there goes the New Year. We wish our readers a very happy and safe new year!
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There will be separate pedestrian walkways from three Metro stations - Burj Khalifa, Financial Centre and Business Bay - leading to the areas where festivities will be held near Dubai Mall; one of the walkways will be for bachelors, another for families and a third for people who have bookings at The Dubai Mall and the areas around it.
He warned that the roads around the Downtown area will be closed by 9pm due to the elaborate festivities.
The closure will be done gradually from 6pm onwards; special lanes are allocated for police vehicles and eight areas were assigned for seeing the celebrations.
Follow these instructions
Spelling out some instructions for the public, Colonel Hareb Al Shamsi, director of activities at the general Department of Criminal Investigation of the Dubai Police, said do not carry any large bags, take care of children and protect them from the crowd, and also to get wrist labels at gates where you can write down the details of the child on this wrist band. Last year maximum complaints included losing mobile phones, bags and personal belongings.
Hussain Al Bana, head of traffic department at RTA, said Al Asayel Street will be closed to traffic by 4pm and will be used for public transport and VIPs.
The Dubai Metro will be working round the clock starting from Thursday early morning and until 1am of Saturday. He said that Burj Khalifa station will be closed from 10pm. He called on public to use public transport and not to park on road shoulders.
Another official said 5,000 parking spaces around the Dubai Mall will be made available and 170 buses will shuttle people to the Burj Khalifa. He added that there 16 tents for emergency and first aid set up in the area.
NY arrangements in numbers
> 4,000 cameras to monitor celebrations
> 5,000 police officials will be available in addition to 400 volunteers
> 400,000 lights were placed in the Burj Khalifa, in addition to other lights in the surrounding buildings,
> 5,000 parking spaces around The Dubai Mall
> 170 buses will shuttle people to the Burj Khalifa
amira@khaleejtimes.com
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