JEDDAH, 12 January 2005 — On the final day of school examinations yesterday, there was an increased police presence in a number of places. Their presence was particularly noticeable in and around shopping malls, coffee shops and along Jeddah’s Tahlia Street. Many people complained of improper behavior and harassment by teenage boys.
Sameera said she realized that things were not normal because the police were everywhere. Teenage boys were being prevented from entering many shopping malls. “I was on my way to Le Mall on Tahlia Street when I saw that the police were blocking the entrance and only allowing family cars to go inside. I then saw a number of boys who had just completed their last school exams outside the mall, shouting at cars with women inside. As it was the last day of school, I realized that this is the behavior we expect from these boys.”
Sara told Arab News that such behavior is expected on the last day and the only way the boys can express their happiness is by going wild. “It is not only high school boys who go wild but girls as well. I have seen many girls in elaborate clothes and wearing full makeup. If girls want to stay out of trouble, why do they come to these places? Teenage boys should not be accused of harassment; the girls are just as much to blame by provoking harassment with their dress and makeup,” Sara said.
Ahmad said: “I was stopped at a traffic light when I saw a group of teenage boys in a car harassing everybody around them. They were using a mirror to reflect the sun into the eyes of other drivers. They annoyed one man so much that he threatened to break their car window. He was very angry and the boys were laughing at him and enjoying the show. When my turn came, I asked them why they were causing trouble and they told me quite openly that they were happy exams were over and this was just one way of letting off steam and expressing their happiness. Of course, that is no justification for their behavior but how can anyone control tens of thousands of students?”
A police officer said they had been prepared since the beginning of the exam period for the last day. Their aim is to preserve as much order as possible and keep the peace. The police record license plate numbers of offenders and report them to their colleagues at police checkpoints for further action.
