MADINAH, 3 April 2005 — They’re supposed to be places to park cars and sometimes billet personal drivers, but in Madinah basements are getting a little spooky as many have become hideouts for criminals and storehouses for stolen cars and hot merchandise.
Al-Madinah newspaper recently turned on the lights and went downstairs to see what’s happening in a basement world that’s fast becoming an underworld of a different kind.
Some residents blame the city’s darkening underside on lack of security guards which can turn a car park into a dangerous, subterranean free-for-all.
“Nowadays they have become a hiding place for all sorts of crimes and immoral, indecent actions,” said Madinah resident Muhammad Al-Ahmadi.
Another resident, Saleh Amro, remarked that young criminals hang out in the lower levels of some building and that some underground car parks are becoming stolen car hideaways. “Building owners should hire janitors to ensure safety,” he said.
“The government should hold the owners accountable for the security and safety of their buildings,” said Abdul Elah Al-Magdawi, another resident. “They also should illuminate the basement at all times.”
Building owners have a slightly different take on the problem. “Guarding the basement is a mutual task of the owner and the tenants,” said Abdullah Al-Oufi. “Even if there is a janitor, he can’t do it by himself, as there are a number of entrances that are difficult to keep an eye on at all times. If the tenants shared the responsibility then that will lower the rate of crimes that take place inside these buildings.”
Mansoor Al-Refaea of the Al-Khaldiya neighborhood said the most important aspect of the problem is building owners’ leniency about maintaining security inside their basements, which become havens for teen criminals and illegal laborers.
“Many police departments in Madinah are filled with criminals who are captured inside these basements,” he said.
Some landlords, however, would like to note that big buildings are big business, and most will be administered as such.
“This will reflect on my building’s reputation, which I truly care about,” said Sadek Maki, a Madinah landlord.
