Event for the Neighborhood Observer in Ayia Napa (PICTURES)

An event for the training and evaluation of the operation of the Neighborhood Observer institution in the year 2017-2018 took place yesterday Thursday, April 4, in the event hall of the Municipality of Ayia Napa, which was co-organized by the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Cyprus Police.

In his greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Giannis Karousos, expressed his pride that the institution of the Neighborhood Observer in Ayia Napa is one of the most successful institutions in Cyprus and that he did not expect that there would be such a great response from citizens and businesses.

Due to the problems that exist in the staffing of the Police, this institution added that it is a great help and has positive results. The aim of the Municipality is to improve the institution during the summer in areas frequented by tourists and not only in residential areas, which is why the mayor pointed out that the Municipality is open to proposals and suggestions.

He also urged those present, if they do not participate in the program to do so, so that by their involvement they contribute to the process of prevention of delinquent and criminal activities, as well as to ensuring order and legality in the Municipality.

In his short greeting, the Famagusta Police Director, George Oikonomou, praised the fact that the level of attendance of the public in Ayia Napa and in the two events held for this institution, has reached very high levels, while in other Municipalities, which became similar events and whose population is much larger the attendance was very low. This proves, he added, that the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Neighborhood Police are dealing with this issue with great sensitivity and that they are working with the required seriousness.

The Neighborhood Observer program was presented by the head of the Office of Crime Prevention, Senior Lt. Petros Pattouras, who stressed that any citizen who becomes a neighborhood observer will be able to call the curious person when he sees a suspicious move. 112 and should work with the program coordinator.

Petros Pattouras also mentioned that in order to ensure security in the neighborhoods, everyone should work individually with a neighbor of their trust, always with their main concern not to endanger themselves. Referring to the role that observers are called upon to take on, he stressed that they do not take on police duties and in no way added "we do not urge them to face any criminal activity they observe, endangering their physical integrity or even their own lives."

At the same time, the Chief Coordinator of the Observer Program in Dali, Stavros Neophytou, referred to his experiences from the implementation of the institution and the activities organized in the Municipality of Idali.

Famagusta.News