Car parked at the entrance of a parking place because of lack of space in International city. 09 October,2015. (Picture for illustration purpose only).
Dubai - International City residents call for more patrolling as their vehicles are being targeted by unscrupulous people; women complain of stalking
Published: Sun 18 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Mon 19 Oct 2015, 1:43 AM
There are more serious issues than finding a parking lot in the International City, Dubai, say residents, who have called for more security patrols in the community. Many residents told Khaleej Times that their parked vehicles are being damaged intentionally by unscrupulous people and are forced to park in non-designated areas inviting fines.
They called for more patrols from the Dubai Police and the Nakheel Security in the International City to put an end to dreadful practices they have been facing for quite some time.
'What does massage have to do with nudity'Residents of International City who are clueless about their cars getting damaged also want to know why massage service ads are being dropped on their cars. They question how the people, who drop such cards, dare to do so especially that all the cards bear pictures of nude women in indecent positions.
This is what you will hear from many residents:
"I parked my car for few hours and when I came back I found several cards of massage services dropped on it."
"I just wonder what does massage have to do with nudity? And what does a massage service have to do with homes where families stay?
Another woman resident just tells of how she once chased one person, when seeing him leave a card on her car. "I asked him why he is leaving garbage on my windshield but he just ignored me. He smiled and walked away". Another Arab woman complained of stalkers.
"Very often when I park my car and would be about to step out for my flat I would find a man who is lurking around in his car. He would arrive and park but nevertheless stay in his car for reasons I don't know. I don't dare walk to my flat especially when I arrive late," she said.
mary@khaleejtimes.com
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Besides, recurrent deliberate damaging of cars, what annoys the residents are embarrassing massage service ads left on their cars, showing women in racy and nude positions. A woman, whose car was smashed twice and had to get a police report in both incidents said that she had no idea who was behind that.
"I parked my car and the following day I found a long crack in the front windshield. There were also scratches with a key at other parts of the car," said the woman who did not wish to be named.
An Arab man told a similar story of finding his car damaged after returning from a trip. Even though his car was insured but he had still to pay the excess amount and going through all the hassle of having to do without his car for some time.
Added to these issues, residents also complained of the hardship they face when they return home late in the evening unable to find a single free spot to park.
"It is becoming a real hassle. In the parking lot of the building where I stay, there are no parking vacancies. And not even near the blocks in the neighbourhoods," said Rania. She said that she was issued tickets for parking in non-designated areas and obstructing the traffic. "It has happened very often in a very short span of time. There is no such exoneration from fines for such an excuse as the shortage of parking lots."
Parking solution
She said that it was not logical at all to be given fines next to where someone stayed on a very recurrent basis. "We simply cannot afford it". An officer from the security office in the International City said that they have received many complaints regarding the parking woes. "We have forwarded many suggestions to the Nakheel administration and waiting for their approval. Hopefully the parking problem will be solved in the coming days."
Asked how the problem will be solved, the officer declined to give any details.
As to their office's patrolling movement, he reckoned that the community area is big but still they do patrol the clusters around the clock: "We have seven cars to patrol the clusters with one car for every cluster."
A statement from Nakheel said, "Illegal parking is a challenge facing all communities in Dubai, and we continue to take action to rectify the situation at International City. "The parking of trucks in International City is prohibited, with warning signs in place. In addition, Dubai Police issue fines for any vehicle illegally parked at the community.
"We continue to liaise with the police and explore new ways of overcoming these challenges, and will update residents accordingly."
Meanwhile, Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of General Department of Traffic said that many traffic patrols are patrolling the international city area and neighbourhood and traffic police have been instructed to fine any person who violate the laws will fine the person who break the laws in presence. He added that if people do not know about the laws they can seek help from the police.
He said motorists can be fined in absentia if the vehicle is parked in prohibited areas. However, if the driver thinks that he/she did not violate the rule can file, he/ she can complain against it.
He said that in case of shortage of parking areas, people should get in touch with the concerned authorities on line or they can visit the traffic offices.
Regarding the damaging of cars, he said that legal action will be taken against the person who commit such act. He urged the residents to lodge complaints with the police station.
With inputs by Amira Agarib
mary@khaleejtimes.com
Shortage of parking lots force residents of International City, Dubai, to park their cars in non-designated areas. Residents say their parked vehicles are being damaged intentionally. —
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