CAIRO – Nowadays, the police should have two new targets in their sights: teenagers who misbehave in public places as well as swindlers, who con Egyptians out of millions of pounds. It is shameful and embarrassing to see many boys and girls with unacceptable behaviour that are indulging in un-Islamic activities in public places of the nation's cities. It is even more lamentable that an easing of security restrictions and freer movement of people in Cairo have encouraged many youngsters to become more vulgar in our conservative society after the January 25 revolution. Therefore, the country's anti-vice squads should launch a comprehensive campaign that aims to curb “immoral activities” by irresponsible teenagers in public parks, cinemas, and especially the cafe shops, whose cabins are being “misused” by these youngsters. This crackdown is urgently needed to confront these young people who are disturbing social and moral security with their inappropriate clothing and behaviour. The violators can be fined within the framework of a national call for a return to the true Egyptian values. Moreover, the proposed campaign must be directed against the growing numbers of young women wearing shorter and tighter skirts, brighter and skimpier clothing in secondary schools, universities and on the street. It should also target young men with an outrageous appearance in public that hurt the people's religious feelings and beliefs. In the meantime, the nation needs a tougher law to combat financial scams, which con Egyptians out of millions of pounds each year. The much needed law should seek longer prison terms and heavier financial fines for architects of notorious pyramid schemes, which have recently resurfaced in Egypt. It should also compel the offenders to hand the proceeds back to the victims, or their families. The proposed law must empower police agents to enter and search any premises and access computers and arrest any person in connection with these pyramid schemes. This law is needed to clean up Egypt's image as a country of scammers, swindlers and fraudsters. In the meantime, the country needs special courts to handle economic crimes and a more efficient police force to crack down on fraudsters, who have elevated scamming to the highest levels during the past few months.
