“Tweeters” report crimes and security lapses to Dubai Police

Tens of thousands of followers interacted with the “Sense of Security” campaign, which was launched by Dubai Police through its accounts on the social networking sites “Facebook” and “Twitter.” The Director of the Security Awareness Department at the General Administration of Community Service, Colonel Jassim Khalil Mirza, said that reaching The target segment is in their homes in this easy way, which contributes to bringing out very important ideas and information, and also helps the police to educate members of the public in a quick and effective way.

Emirates Today monitored the keenness of many tweeters on Twitter to report security lapses and crimes they observed themselves, such as one follower who reported a site that sells Emirati IDs for 3,500 dirhams, and another reported a phone scam.

Those responsible for monitoring Dubai Police accounts follow its pages around the clock, and respond immediately to members of the public, according to clear directives in this regard from the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Muzainah, which has doubled the volume of security cooperation and positive behavior on the part of participants, and broken the barrier of fear. What is usual between members of society and the security apparatus.

In detail, a large number of community members communicated with the Dubai Police, through its Twitter and Facebook accounts, and provided it with important information about violations or crimes, as Abdul Rahman Al-Jamal reported on a site that sells fake Emirati IDs, promoting the possibility of using them to buy a car. Or open a bank account in the Emirates, in addition to other facilities provided by the ID card, which he sells for 3,500 dirhams.

Another user reported being subjected to a phone fraud attempt from a person who deluded him into believing that he had won a major prize, and asked him for a sum of money to receive it. In all similar cases, tweeters who communicate via Twitter or Facebook are directed to the center or the relevant department to verify the information.

Mirza said that Dubai Police is keen to move its security message away from traditional aspects, and to exploit modern technologies, so that it can reach the target groups through the means closest to them, adding that “it is no longer useful for us to wait for them to come to us, through awareness-raising activities.”

In addition, the Director of the Social Networks Department in the Command’s Regulatory Office, Major Mubarak Busamra, said that the Dubai Police accounts on social media sites receive great attention and follow-up by the public inside and outside the country, bringing the number of followers of the Dubai Police page on Twitter to 284. One thousand followers, and on Facebook there are 34 thousand and 105 followers, including 26 thousand and 363 on the English page. The average view of one poster indicates about 49 thousand views.

He added that the Social Media Department is keen to communicate with the public with short, direct messages in Arabic and English, such as: “If you are being subjected to blackmail from a person or entity, call 800243,” or “If you see a strange vehicle driving repeatedly in front of your house, or in Your residential area, try recording her plate number and calling,” or “If you suspect your maid’s behavior, call the number…”

Through this page, Emirates Today receives the opinions and inquiries of its readers regarding the police via email:

[email protected]