Families cannot feel safe with closed police stations, PN says

San Ġwann, Msida, Swieqi, Għargħur, and Gżira are five large localities, all with their police stations closed, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday.Over the past 40 years, these localities have seen their populations collectively i

By: independent.com.mt

Oct 01 2024
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Families cannot feel safe with

San Ġwann, Msida, Swieqi, Għargħur, and Gżira are five large localities, all with their police stations closed, the Nationalist Party said Tuesday.

Over the past 40 years, these localities have seen their populations collectively increase from around 32,000 to approximately 55,000.

These residents are without a police station in their locality, the PN said, a situation that negatively affects their safety.

At a press conference in front of the closed San Ġwann police station, addressed by Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Reforms, Darren Carabott; Shadow Minister for Family and Social Security, Albert Buttigieg; and the Mayors and Minority Leader of the localities where the police stations are closed, the speakers explained how this situation of closed police stations is having various consequences.

Among these are challenges with public order, vandalism, theft, and other safety concerns for the families in these areas. Additionally, it is increasing pressure on other police stations that are already burdened with their own significant challenges, such as those in Sliema and St Julian's. This is also, of course, putting additional pressure on the police officers in the open stations.

Although Community Police are doing what they can, they cannot perform the work done in the stations, the speakers said.

The Partit Nazzjonalista insists that it is completely unacceptable for residents to find a police station closed when they are seeking help.

Every police station should be open. Only then can residents feel secure, they added.

The responsibility for the safety of every resident lies entirely with the Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Employment Byron Camilleri as well as Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, who are not prioritising the necessary resources to ensure police stations are open and providing services.