Dr. Bahaa Helmy Writes: Criminal Security and Discipline in the Egyptian Street

Following up the efforts made in fighting terrorism and in providing safety, social stability, sustainable development and national awareness is at the top of the political leadership's concerns, as basic elements of Egypt's national security strategy, alongside the tasks of protecting and securing the state's borders and rights against the dangers that threaten it on all levels; and these same elements also constitute challenges. Therefore, continuously following up and evaluating performance and policies and the achievements made, identifying the problems that may affect the accomplishment of the planned goals, tasks and operations, and devising appropriate solutions is an absolute necessity in order to provide a suitable climate for peace, development, progress and prosperity. We refer here to the latest developments in the security situation in the Egyptian street, which cannot be viewed in isolation from the internal, regional and global security situation as well. However, stability and the entrenchment of the rule of law in Egyptian society are basic pillars of security and safety, and confronting behavior that deviates from the customs and traditions of society is an individual obligation. The sons of the Egyptian people in the armed forces and the Egyptian police have made huge efforts and great sacrifices, and the Egyptian mother and family led the march of defiance to restore safety and stability to the homeland, with a patriotic spirit and feelings inspiring enthusiasm and self-sacrifice for that noble mission. The security institutions are still confronting terrorism as one of the forms of violent extremism, which can only be eliminated through parallel capabilities and efforts by the other institutions and civil society to change ideology and replace the culture of violence and extremism among some with a new culture based on human values, tolerance and acceptance of the other. The armed forces and the police work side by side in fighting terrorism and protecting citizens and facilities, which has a positive effect on the state of safety and tranquility we enjoy as citizens, foreigners and tourists. However, uncivilized behavior often appears on the part of some citizens and drivers in situations that follow security breakdowns, such as those that occurred after January 2011 and before 2014, which negatively affects public security and gives a poor image of safety and the rule of law in society before the world. The time has come to restore discipline in the Egyptian street — and this should not be limited to compliance with traffic laws and etiquette, but requires more efforts in the field of criminal security, supported by redoubled efforts from the competent security agencies, such as the utilities police, the pickpocketing and transport investigations units, the supply police, criminal investigations, the vice squad, the various uniformed services and others. This should be done according to a professional strategy and vision to achieve the desired discipline in a professional, phased manner aimed at entrenching among citizens and drivers the feeling of an effective security presence, non-discrimination and equality before the law. It should be supported by a media, cultural and awareness strategy to develop citizens' national awareness, raise the level of public behavior in the street and help restore the prestige of the law by confronting the negative and criminal phenomena, some of which seem to be becoming habitual, such as traffic violations, street vendors occupying the roads, the informal parking attendant (sayes), the tuk-tuk, harassment, bullying by children and adolescents, thuggish behavior and other crimes and violations. It is our duty to shed light on the problems of the society in which we live and to which we belong, for the purpose of reform and righteousness, and to put forward ideas that can contribute to eliminating the negatives and restoring noble values and morals in the face of some deviant cultures, the leftovers of electronic communication sites, which target the values of the household, the family and society in favor of alternative virtual societies. That is why the political leadership has repeatedly called on the agencies concerned to continue making the utmost effort to preserve security and stability, fight terrorism, maintain criminal security, discipline and adherence to social values and civilized behavior in accordance with the rule of law. The security burdens borne by the Ministry of Interior and its security agencies are as great as the achievements made thanks to the calm and purposeful security policies adopted by the Minister of Interior; hence the extent of the need for material and moral support from society for the state's security agencies, to preserve strong institutions committed to the Constitution, the law and human rights. Members of the Police Authority perform their mission out of faith in loyalty to the mission and the pledge, even to the point of sacrifice, and not out of the view that it is a job: it is a legal, moral and professional duty and obligation, whether in dealing with citizens or in confronting crime. At the same time, there is a great responsibility on the individual and society to support the security men and to deal with them as people performing their mission to protect him, his security, and to defend him, his property and his honor, through the members of society committing to moral and lawful behavior and staying away from the idea of lying in wait and hostility according to the ultras mentality imported from abroad. So a special salute to the sons of the Egyptian people, with its armed forces, its national police and its honorable citizens.