Egyptian pound wavers vs. USD in early trade    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Neighborhood watch groups keep the peace, protect from thugs
Published in Daily News Egypt on 30 - 01 - 2011

CAIRO: Gunshots were heard continuously in Heliopolis Saturday night but mainly came from neighborhood watch groups who were trying to scare would-be looters, real or imagined.
People set up makeshift roadblocks using rocks, sand and chairs all throughout the side streets of the neighborhood while army vehicles and personnel patrolled the main thoroughfares of Heliopolis.
Residents of Heliopolis descended to defend their streets from potential looters around mid-afternoon as the first reports of the looting began to spread. One man near the Military Academy was carrying a machine gun, but for the majority of the groups, it was sticks and sharpened knives.
Throughout the night there were sounds of shots fired in Heliopolis, but it was residents firing in the air when they suspected that someone might be approaching. A lot of the groups were also using air guns to sound warnings to other groups in the area to stay alert.
The Presidential Palace is also in Heliopolis but the army and presidential guard were out en masse in the surrounding area. A resident in the area, Taiseer Nasry told Daily News Egypt, "Across the road from me there is a building housing intelligence services, and the army was all around the presidential palace."
However, this did not prevent some shots being fired at an Alfa Supermarket nearby according to Nasry, who said that some looters had attempted to rob the supermarket. There were also reported attempts of looting in Masaken Sheraton and near Hegaz Square.
"I was upset that things were being stolen and looted and I felt it was intentional so, I'm hearing that they are from the security forces. However every hour this chaos continues is not good for Egypt," Heliopolis resident Deena Saadedine told Daily News Egypt.
“All the men on Makram Ebeid Street, Nasr City used anything to fight with and took to the streets to protect their families,” engineer Islam Al-Kaseer said.
Al Kaseer said that 13 thugs were detained by the people protecting the area and were handed over to the army.
He said there were many people with guns licensed for personal protection.
“I feel proud to be protecting my home and family, even if I die doing it,” he said.
“I went down to the streets holding my grandfather's cane to protect my family,” Nagi Magdi, from Nasr City told Daily News Egypt.
“But if this goes on for long, it will be a huge problem,” he added.
The neighborhood watch groups closed off the streets and checked pedestrians' IDs and drivers' licenses before letting them through.
“I am proud to be protecting my people and I feel completely responsible for them,” Amr Bahgat, marketing engineer told Daily News Egypt.
“This has brought people close together and made them get to know each other and care for each other,” graphic designer, Mohamed Alaa Eldin told Daily News Egypt.
The neighborhood watch groups said the army cooperated with them to protect civilians from thugs.


Clic here to read the story from its source.