Deserted buildings in Buraidah a security threat, say residents
Deserted buildings in Buraidah a security threat, say residents
January 23, 2017 | 12:11 AM
Deserted houses like these in Buraidah provide a safe haven for criminals. — Okaz photo
January 23, 2017 | 12:11 AM
Last Updated: January 23, 2017 | 12:11 AM
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BURAIDAH — Residents of Buraidah in the central province of Qassim say many abandoned buildings in their city pose a serious security threat.
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Narrow alleyways allow violators of the law who take refuge in deserted buildings safe escape routes. — Okaz photo
[/caption] Abdulaziz Faisal, who is a photographer involved in the digital Atlas of Makkah and Madinah and lives in Buraidah, said these deserted buildings are ticking time bombs. "Many criminals who flee the law use them as storage for food and other essentials," Faisal said. He called on officials to tackle the matter as soon as possible so as the problem not to get worse and lead to horrible consequences. He pointed out that the Civil Defense in Buraidah recently reported a fire in one of these old houses that were used as a warehouse by criminals. Muhammad Saud, another resident of the city, said these homes could collapse because of rain and other natural factors. "It's the duty of the Qassim Municipality to form a special committee to sort out these homes and determine the risk they pose. The municipality should compel their owners either to demolish these buildings or restore them," he said. Responding to the complaints, the spokesman of Qassim Municipality said: "The municipality understands that these buildings pose social and security risks and its operation and maintenance department is constantly checking and removing all dilapidated buildings." The municipality demolished a number of buildings in various neighborhoods of the city just recently. "The municipality continues its efforts for the removal of all worn-out buildings that pose security and safety risks to the public," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, traders in Buraidah are waiting for the municipality to complete a bigger and modern fruit and vegetables market in the city. The new market is being built on an area of 14,000 sq. meters and will have 232 stalls, 22 of them for fruit and vegetables, 19 for meat, 14 for fish and 14 shops selling poultry, in addition to seven large cold storages.
Narrow alleyways allow violators of the law who take refuge in deserted buildings safe escape routes. — Okaz photo[/caption] Abdulaziz Faisal, who is a photographer involved in the digital Atlas of Makkah and Madinah and lives in Buraidah, said these deserted buildings are ticking time bombs. "Many criminals who flee the law use them as storage for food and other essentials," Faisal said. He called on officials to tackle the matter as soon as possible so as the problem not to get worse and lead to horrible consequences. He pointed out that the Civil Defense in Buraidah recently reported a fire in one of these old houses that were used as a warehouse by criminals. Muhammad Saud, another resident of the city, said these homes could collapse because of rain and other natural factors. "It's the duty of the Qassim Municipality to form a special committee to sort out these homes and determine the risk they pose. The municipality should compel their owners either to demolish these buildings or restore them," he said. Responding to the complaints, the spokesman of Qassim Municipality said: "The municipality understands that these buildings pose social and security risks and its operation and maintenance department is constantly checking and removing all dilapidated buildings." The municipality demolished a number of buildings in various neighborhoods of the city just recently. "The municipality continues its efforts for the removal of all worn-out buildings that pose security and safety risks to the public," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, traders in Buraidah are waiting for the municipality to complete a bigger and modern fruit and vegetables market in the city. The new market is being built on an area of 14,000 sq. meters and will have 232 stalls, 22 of them for fruit and vegetables, 19 for meat, 14 for fish and 14 shops selling poultry, in addition to seven large cold storages.
