Security incidents are on the rise, with news of clashes, shootings, assaults, and other crimes reaching us via WhatsApp almost hourly—events that are unsettling for a society not accustomed to such rapid occurrences. This morning, a security plan was launched following recommendations from Minister of Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Molawi, after a meeting dedicated to Beirut held about ten days ago, which included representatives from the military and all security agencies.
Molawi stated to MTV that he requested everyone to be present on the ground and that the level of preparedness was raised due to increasing complaints regarding crimes, especially in Beirut and its suburbs. The security plan involves strict measures aimed at maintaining safety through round-the-clock patrols by traffic units in Beirut, the southern suburbs, and Hadath, alongside support from various branches of the Internal Security Forces, such as the Panther units and judicial police.
There will be a noticeable security presence at entrances to the capital and within main streets and neighborhoods, to address violations related to motorcycles, particularly those ridden without helmets, lacking legal documents, or operated by Syrians residing in Lebanon illegally. Additionally, there will be pursuits of unregistered vehicles using tinted windows without permits, and offenders will be arrested and handled professionally, as specified in the plan's directive, with the public informed daily through the Public Relations Department about the results, arrests, and detected violations.
Molawi commented that most crimes committed are difficult to preempt and are of a personal nature rather than having a terrorist aspect, with a significant portion linked to the presence of Syrians in Lebanon. He believes coordination between agencies is crucial to control access to Beirut, as many crimes are committed by individuals traveling from outside the capital and fleeing to their areas, often utilizing non-compliant motorcycles or vehicles.
He further stated: "We need to clamp down on the illegal motorcycles as well as the illegal Syrian presence, as a means to reduce crime, and the security presence will be reinforced in Beirut and its surroundings, on the airport road, and inside the southern suburbs through mobile forces and judicial police."
He concluded: "The security plan has succeeded in Tripoli, and it will succeed in Beirut and its suburbs." While crime is not new to Lebanon, it's undeniable that the Syrian influx has contributed to rising crime rates, compounded by the social situation that drives criminal behavior. Additionally, the diminished presence and authority of the state have made it easier for many, both in politics and in the world of crime, to operate without fear of consequences. These individuals are not riding non-compliant motorcycles in a manner that allows them to be apprehended, according to MTV.