Senior police officers investigate the Purim enforcement failures, accusing: elected officials prefer that trust in the police be harmed, and that their good name be preserved
Cops at the pirate parties
Photo:
Oren Ben Hakon
Against the background of the criticism surrounding the enforcement failures on Purim, the police go on the attack and claim: "We did not create the euphoria in the public. On a holiday where parties and festivals are held at all hours of the day, a closure should have been imposed, and an ineffective night curfew."
The day after Purim, senior police officials began questioning what appeared to be "enforcement laxity" before and during the holiday.
Police admit that although hundreds of mass parties and events planned to take place were thwarted in advance during the holiday, some 300 pirate parties that were in progress were canceled, and despite the fact that some 7,000 reports were distributed - police were not stationed in central places where mass street parties could be expected.
The photos and videos broadcast on social media, the live broadcasts of mass street performances in central places in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem where the police were seen helplessly, and the pilgrimage to the capital of citizens who abandoned their cars at the risk of their lives - embarrassed the top police.
In the Shadow of the Corona and the Rise of Illness: Purim Celebrations in Jerusalem // Photo: Yoni Rickner
In closed conversations, police sources claim that the decision to impose the night curfew and not refine the guidelines, as in previous times, "created confusion among the police as well," as evidence of this. At this time, therefore, any wrong claim in the context of enforcement should be dismissed outright. "
"The police are an enforcement body and not an educating body," a police source told Israel Today.
He said, "In the end, the police also understand that they are alone."
While a senior official in one of the police districts said in a closed conversation: "The overthrow of the organization is unjustified and causes image damage, which in the end may be irreversible."
"Where are the mayors?"
The senior officer in the conversation intended that the police could not enforce the Corona's guidelines alone.
"It's clear to everyone, but the easiest way is to blame the cops. Where are the mayors?", The senior wondered, "They have inspectors with powers. Has anyone heard the mayors of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem before and during the holiday?
"Where is the Ministry of Education regarding violations in educational institutions? Where is the Ministry of Health, whose people have enforcement powers against businesses and commerce? For some reason, in order not to damage their image they choose to hold the police responsible, knowing that in order to enforce the guidelines properly there must be integrated enforcement. The relevant bodies and ministries. "
The police also express displeasure with the demand for enforcement in private places.
