Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) celebrate launching strategic plans of community safety for Bethlehem and Tulkarm Governorates in Ramallah. The events combined a group of legal & human rights experts, representatives of police, Ramallah Governorate, official institutions and civil society organizations in addition to social activists.
Bashar Aldeek opened the ceremony welcoming the attendees and assuring that community safety has been the secret towards preservation of the community’s survival. While for a year, “SHAMS” and (DCAF) have been working to outline plans by holding meetings with stakeholders and related entities in both governorates, and today we are declaring the launch of these plans as the initial step towards implementation and sharing the experience with other governorates. He put emphasis that community safety is of utmost importance and explained that it’s hard to be guaranteed unless having a sustainable social dialogue. Moreover, he pointed out that the ceremony is held in order to launch the community safety strategic plans developed by Bethlehem & Tulkarm governorates, in addition to address mechanisms to be employed for implementation by getting the feedback of the participants and their recommendations that will contribute to implementing the plans.
In his speech, Mr. Enrick Jhones, Chief Director of Programs at (DCAF) welcomed the attendees, and declared that the meeting is directed at launching community safety strategic plans developed by Bethlehem & Tulkarm governorates. Further to community safety plans that have been developed for Hebron and Jenin Governorates previously. He added that the center will broaden the work in collaboration with “SHAMS” Center for the purpose of strengthening safety and security in the community.
On his part, Mr. Ali Odeh, Director of Community Safety Department in Tulkarm governorate conveyed greetings and appreciation of His Excellency, General Isam Abu Bajer, the Governor of Tulkarm Governorate. Besides, he assured that community safety represents an all-round system that combines all stakeholders, and is not only undertaken by the security institution, but also depends on societal partnership among community members and understanding how to deal with this concept by the citizens & institution on the ground.
Dr. Loay Zaoul, Head of Public Relations Unit at Bethlehem Governorate thanked both “SHAMS” and (DCAF) for their exceptional efforts made, and he conveyed greetings and appreciation of the Governorate’s staff and His Excellency, General Jibreen Albakri, the Governor of Bethlehem Governorate. Mr. Zaoul paid tribute to such efforts aiming to refine a strategic plan addressing work mechanism to be employed for the social system. Also, he stated that we are moving on the right track for Crisis Management that may face the community. It is worth to be noted that Bethlehem Governorate participated in outlining this plan since the creation and joined the series of meetings and discussions held for the preparation towards the phase of the plan’s delivery which has been developed so far theoretically, but lacks implementation on the ground. He assured the need to keep working and intensification of efforts in order to maintain the security of citizens & community and to enhance community safety.
On his part, Colonel Farid Ladadweh, Director of Community Police Department in the Palestinian Civil Police addresses the concept of community police and explained that it follows a specific method of police work based on establishing partnership between the police and local communities receiving the service. Also, it focuses on enhancing the rule of law, resolving problems and achieving a twofold objective represented in the reinforcement of human safety & security and improving citizens’ trust in the police. He added that effective community police requires providing time, efforts and commitment of the partners to achieve it to the fullest.
At the end of the ceremony, Waddah Abdulsalam the local expert provided a presentation on community safety strategic plans of the two governorates. Then a discussion was opened to give feedback, notes and suggestions by the attendees, who praised efforts made to deliver these plans. Additionally, they emphasized the importance to set a mechanism to implement these plans and recommended to outline a full-scale plan in relation to community safety for all the Palestinian governorates.