Letters to the editor

Dear Stan,
I was indeed heartened when I read your article stating Major Muhammed bin Daina's promise that should anyone call 999 to report harassment, the police will track down the offenders and punish them (GulyWeekly, issue 30).

Last night, quite by chance, I had the opportunity to test them regarding this promise.
I was driving past La Vendome hotel in Gudaibiya at about 8pm. The traffic was bumper to bumper. I saw an elderly Indian couple waiting to cross the road. Suddenly a white car, one car ahead of mine, stopped.
Someone put out their hand holding a spray can and sprayed the poor woman's face completely with a white foam, even into her nose, till she was almost suffocated.
The car between mine and the offenders just moved on as if they did not see anything.
When I reached the couple, the poor lady seemed totally in shock.
I stopped to ask if she would like to report the incident. I told her that “we must dial 999 and complain, since in the GulfWeekly’s article the police have promised to take action.”
She had not noted the car number so I offered to follow them and call 999 to complain for her, for which she was grateful.
 As I saw the car turn left near the Atlas Hotel lane, I followed, noted the number and called 999. I was immediately transferred to the police. 
After I reported the incident that I had witnessed to the police, along with the car registration number – surprise, surprise, the officer told me the lady should come to the police station and report it herself or I must come to the police station myself to report it.
I was on an urgent errand and could not go to the police station, but I offered to give my mobile number and address.
However, he said that it was not enough. He asked me where I was currently. When I told him I had nearly reached the Ramada hotel he had the audacity to say: “OK you are not far. Go bring the woman to the police station.”
I was disgusted with his attitude. Come to the police station?
By that time where would I find the couple? More importantly, where would the offenders be? Couldn't the police have tracked them down at once and probably caught them red-handed spraying some other unsuspecting person?
What would be the use of going to the police station? Assuming that I found the couple and the victim agreed to go with me, the police would probably ask us for proof?
Or, as they are frequently known to respond in the case of stolen cars, they might tell us “go catch the offenders and bring them to us - we will punish them!”
Disgusting!
Incidents will continue because the police appear to have a laid back, don't care attitude.
We are expats, here for a short time, if we don't like being teased or abused, we can return to our country, but what about Bahraini women? YOUR sisters, daughters, mothers – who is going to protect them?  Certainly not the police – at least not with their current attitude.
This is not my only experience. People laugh at me because I take the trouble to report things to the police, and then I get furious at their attitude!
A few months ago, I saw a van parked near my house at 2.30am and heard a woman screaming inside like she was being raped or murdered or something – non-stop screaming for about five minutes.
I could also hear some men talking in Arabic which I didn't understand. I was so shaken up I called 999 and again was transferred to the police.
The piercing screams continued for about 15 minutes more, but I was powerless to tackle two or three men. I waited anxiously for the police who did not show up.
Then 45 minutes later the police phoned me to ask if the screaming had stopped. I told him that the van had gone now.
His cool reply: “Problem finished! No need to come over?”
It is almost like a Hindi film. The hero catches the villains and then the police can walk in at the end to take the credit.
Only difference is, in Bahrain, the police phone to check if you have caught the culprits – if not, they won't even bother to come to the scene!
Each time I tell my family or my friends what happened, they say: “mind your own business. Nobody hurt you so why are you bothered.”
I can't think like them. I feel morally obliged to report offenders.
I know I am wasting my breath, my time and my energy but come on Police Force – wake up and do your duty! Silly me, I am still hopeful!
Mrs Mistry,
Bahrain

Dear Stan,
I really appreciated that GulfWeekly brought up the ‘Show Some Respect’ issue. This is something that we see on the weekends – people harassing females irrespective of their dress code – which is very sad being a Muslim country.
We don’t raise a loud enough voice against it. Anyway, just thanks for your efforts and boldness.
Bilal Mohammad
Sales Admin
Nestle’ Bahrain
Trading WLL