Problems in Paceville

Tourism Minister Michael Refalo does not live in Paceville and does not have business interests there, but he is clearly one of the politicians most qualified to speak about that locality - its residents are his constituents and its businesses are an important feature of his ministerial portfolio.

The point he tried to make when speaking in parliament last week was that Paceville is not a problem, but there are problems in Paceville.

The biggest, definitely, is to harmoniously blend the interests of the residents with those of the business and entertainment community there. Can it be done? The former would like peace and quiet, the latter involves noise and traffic.

The minister certainly appears to think there is a middle road, provided everybody pulls at the same rope for the common good. It is, after all, in the interest of both camps to have law and order.

Paceville is important for Malta as the premier night spot for the Maltese and the tourist trade. A tourist product which is already lacking in entertainment and which is not attracting enough young visitors, would be seriously handicapped without it. Indeed, Paceville is not just a night spot. The opening of more commercial outlets and cinemas means it is also a favourite daytime family destination.

But Paceville is just as important for the hundreds for whom Paceville is home.

Paceville has mushroomed in a short span of time and the authorities, clearly, have not kept pace. The locality is plagued by poor roads, poor public transport, poor parking facilities, poor lighting, and poor policing, to mention a few.

Happily the situation may have started to turn around. A new car park has been opened and another is in the offing. Police security cameras have been installed at some streets and a general embellishment programme has been lined up for next year.

But what about policing? One cannot, unfortunately not expect incidents, and even vandalism, in an environment where thousands of youngsters congregate to have fun and also booze and do what they usually, rightly or wrongly, do.

Tolerance, however, has to have its levels. For how long do residents have to feel imprisoned in their homes? Dr Refalo was right to argue in the House that it should not be the Malta Tourism Authority which funds the presence of extra policemen at Paceville. Once there is a need for more policemen, it is the duty of the force to deploy the extra men, while exercising intelligent policing which makes its presence felt, without being oppressive. Indeed the police need to re-think its strategy.

The same applies for other sectors. Why should it be the tourism authority to provide mobile toilets and vandal-proof litter bins? Why isn`t there a permanent first-aid facility?

Paceville needs to be nurtured. That it is a residential as well as a commercial and entertainment locality would be an advantage if a proper, focussed, structure is created to protect and promote the interests of its residents, its investors and society in general.