Why is it that public safety measures are not enforced with equal diligence? With increasingly more people living and visiting Jordan, it would seem that the authorities would reinforce efforts to ensure to the best of their ability that citizens and visitors are safe.
Here the issue is not about Monday's attack on tourists, which authorities determined was the solitary act of an individual -- an aberration. Here the issue is about general public safety.
For example, also on Monday there was a youth festivity taking place in the vicinity of the Royal Cultural Centre. Fireworks were the attraction. But not for motorists passing by. They complained of the fireworks being set off too close to the street, posing danger both to pedestrians and motor vehicles along the road.
Recently, another citizen found a spent cartridge from some sort of firework or firearm on the outside doorstep of his home in Kursi.
In rural areas, all manner of fireworks are set off close to homes, tents and guests attending wedding parties.
Under the best safety conditions, fireworks have been known to run astray or fail to detonate in mid-air but rather on the ground. These accidents have resulted in injury and even death.
And this is not to speak of the still prevalent and dangerously reckless "tradition" of festive firing.
As this editorial was being written, shots rang out in our neighbourhood of Abu Kura.
There are laws on the books regulating as well as prohibiting these activities. Why then is enforcement of these rules so lax?
Why are public service announcements on radio and television absent, particularly in the summer when such practices are more common?
There is no denying that the country's security forces are most diligent at keeping their ears to the ground in safeguarding citizens and property from acts of terrorism. There is no denying their record of achievement here.
Perhaps then, it is simply a shortage of human resources that is obliging our forces to tackle "first things first."
Perhaps then, it is time to beef up the ranks of our law enforcement officers.
In the meantime, some refresher messages to fireworks companies, hospitality facilities and citizens might work as a firm reminder that such activities must be carried out within regulations, and that festive firing is against the law.
© Jordan Times 2006
