JEDDAH — The municipality has announced it plans to install surveillance cameras by public facilities, including the historic Jeddah areas to tackle vandalism, Makkah daily reported. Jeddah Municipality spokesman Mohammad Al-Bugamy said the local authority has tough penalties and fines for vandals. He said: “The fines start from SR500 and they can reach up to SR1,000, in addition to covering the expenses to repair the vandalism. “Culprits could also face up to two years in prison.” He also said the penalty for contractors who sabotage public facilities to construct their own investment projects can reach up to SR100,000 and a ban from operating for six months. “The contractor's name will be published in the news as part of the penalty. “There is a fine of SR50,000 for anyone vandalizing industrial public facilities such as railways, bridges and tunnels. “There is also a fine of SR3,000 for anyone vandalizing water, electricity and telecommunications equipment.” Al-Bugamy said Jeddah enacted a number of vandalism acts that led to the strict regulations stated in the city's Public Facilities Protection Charter. “A refurbished seafront park saw various acts of vandalism such as public toilets, billboards and signs being damaged before it even opened to the general public. Someone committed arson at Bani Malik Garden only a day before its opening. “Finally, the new public bicycles were stolen two days before the project was launched.” Lawyer Mohammad Al-Tamimi said vandalizing public property and facilities is considered a crime. “Any form of damage including burning or breaking public property can lead to serious consequences. “Public facilities are for the general public's use and multiple vandalism offenses could lead to 10 years in prison in addition to the fines. “I encourage all citizens to immediately report any acts of vandalism witnessed.”
