RIYADH — The Public Security announced on Sunday that it had monitored a number of public decorum violations in various regions of the Kingdom over the past few days. In a statement on its Twitter account, the Public Security said that the competent authorities continue to take legal measures against violators of the Public Decorum Law. The Public Security statement comes in the wake of the Kingdom's celebration of the National Day that was succeeded by the weekend holidays when large number of people came out to spend their free time in public places. A number of the violations happened during the days when some people violated the rules of public decorum. "Over the past few days, we have monitored a number of violations of public decorum rules in a number of regions of the Kingdom, and the competent authorities would continue to take legal measures against the violators," the statement said. It is noteworthy that the security authorities started taking punitive measures against violators of public decorum after the executive regulations of the law to preserve public decorum and combat its abuse came into force in May 2019. According to the regulations, it is not permissible to appear in a public place in an improper dress or wearing a costume or dress that bears pictures, forms, signs or expressions that offend public decorum. The violation also includes writing or drawing anything that is illegal on walls of public places or means of transport without getting permission from the concerned authorities. It is also not permissible to use any word or engage in any act that tends to harm those who visit public places, or intimidate or endanger them. Under the provisions of the law, fines up to SR5,000 will be slapped on the violators of the law and the penalty will be doubled in the event of repeat violation within one year after committing the first one. There are 10 articles in the bylaw, which emphasizes good manners and ethics reflecting the values of society and stresses the need to avoid bad behavior in public. These provisions will be applicable to all those who frequent public places where everyone needs to respect the values, customs, traditions and culture prevailing in the Kingdom.
