Poll suggests tougher laws and better surveillance

An overwhelming 75.12 per cent of respondents in an online poll by The Times believe that national monuments should be protected through tougher laws and better surveillance.

In the wake of the acts of vandalism on Portes Des Bombes in Blata l-Bajda last week readers were asked how national monuments should be protected and were offered three options: through tougher laws, better surveillance or both.

The option of tougher laws was preferred by 11.24 per cent of respondents and 13.64 per cent wanted better surveillance.

"What happened in Floriana is deplorable to say the least," one respondent said.

Another commented that it is ridiculous to guard all national monuments. We should not expect the government to take care of this problem, he said, adding that the most effective measure was education to foster love for our national heritage and by giving a good example to irresponsible individuals.

There should be zero tolerance enforcement on such acts as well as for littering and illegal dumping, a respondent said.

Another suggested the introduction of countryside wardens, saying that England had such wardens that proved to be successful. If it can be done in a country the size of England, it can surely be done in Malta.

"It is an act of cowardice which cannot go unpunished. It is a shame to see that a Maltese citizen (!) can stoop so low as to damage our national heritage in such a way," another remarked.

One suggested the installation of surveillance cameras that cover a larger area and another said Malta is full of historical treasures that, unfortunately, every now and then, fall victim to the idiotic ignorance of the few.

Apart from the restoration of our heritage, we need to safeguard it from the most destructive element in nature: man himself, one respondent said.

Employees and architects from the restoration unit used a number of chemicals to remove the black burnt oil splashed on Portes des Bombes. At one stage it was feared that the monument would remain stained but a look at the magnificent gate yesterday, as workers were giving the final touches, revealed that the cleaning operation was a success.