Odd experience at Souq Waqif

A few weeks ago I had a layover in Qatar and I decided to go to Souq Waqif (SW) to check it out. After a bit of walking I left to find a restaurant and I exited SW via Ali Bin Abdullah St and walked in an Easterly direction. I noted at the intersection of Ali Bin Abdullah St and Grand Hammad St there was a police car nestled in the corner of a building with some cops standing outside. After eating, I decided to come back to SW to finish exploring. I came back the same way and at that same intersection I just so happened to be crossing the road with some other young brown guys (I am a young brown dude as well) and as we made it to the other side, one of the cops stretched his arm out in front of us and said something. I ignored the cop and just kept on walking towards SW and the cop didn't stop me but he basically stopped the 3 other brown guys from entering that area that eventually lead to SW.

What exactly happened here? I think I know but just making sure....