Sunday, 4th January 2009
Police seek to clarify superintendent's Marsa comments
The police have sought to clarify comments by a superintendent about Marsa, saying that in his court submissions the officer had not said that the locality was a no-go zone but that "we should ensure the Maltese are not scared to go to Marsa".
Supt. Silvio Valletta had made the news after he was reported saying in court that the Maltese people were scared to go to Marsa because of the strong immigrant presence.
He was speaking during a hearing in which an 18-year-old Somali admitted to stealing a pair of sunglasses and other items from a car after assaulting a man who had stopped by for a drink. One of the four men who took part in the attack hit the driver over the head with a bottle, while the other three ransacked his car.
"We have reached a point where Maltese people cannot even go to Marsa because they are afraid," Supt. Valletta was reported saying in The Times.
"The victim could not even go out and buy a Coke. With all due respect, we are not in Somalia. If they do not have laws there, we do, and they have to understand this."
Supt. Valletta denied that he had uttered those words as soon as they were published in the media. However, the notes of the two journalists in the courtroom stated otherwise. In a statement yesterday, the police insisted on Supt. Valletta's version. The officer was making his case as the magistrate considered a request by the defence for probation.
The police said: "In his submissions, the inspector (he got promoted that same day) said that we should ensure the Maltese are not scared to go to Marsa."
The officer went on to say that the court should hand down a severe punishment precisely to ensure that Maltese people are not scared to go to Marsa, adding that it is the police's duty to make sure this does not happen.
His words received mixed reactions in the past weeks, with some arguing that his comments verged on the racist and others claiming that some areas of Malta had become scary because "ghettos" were being created.
He was even offered a 'Man of the Year' plaque from members of an online group called 'Save Malta from Illegal', but the superintendent dec-lined it, saying that the award and similar reactions made him "angry".
"I am a man of justice. I believe everyone should be treated equally. All I said was that we have to ensure Marsa does not become a scary place for the Maltese to be in," he insisted.
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Comments
We have only one side of your friend's story.
However, right is right. My friend considers the Front in Sliema, on a summer evening, much more frightful than any Marsa, Balzan or whathaveyou. And this, because on one such fine summer evening, he was set upon by a group of LOCALS ... locals, I repeat, and not immigrants! - who attacked him without any reason and he received no help from any christian sitting down comfortably on the seats there.
So, so much for fear-mongering!
It would be even better if NP & PL should oen up and say what they really feel, Our vote will certainly go to the party that will face this issue "not just words, but action" these people must be repatriated to their countries immediately.
If Supt: Valletta is a man of Justice, which I believe he is. The group Save Malta From ILLEGAL immigrants is a group screaming out for justice. Justice for the Maltese people, legal immigrants in Malta, tourists and future legal immigrants who wish to come to Malta.
The award remains Supt: Valletta. His $500 award becomes a reward for the capture and convictions of the alleged attempt of rape of the 17 year old girl on Christmas day.
Late last year, government representatives squashed rumours that open centres could be set up in Qormi, Fgura and Cospicua.
I think the government is sending balloons to see which town or village would be ready for an open centre.
Instead of such gimmicks, would it not be better for the government to hold a public consultation process on the problem of housing illegal immigrants? It has held such public consultation processes on other important issues.
It is irrelevant what Supt. Valletta actually said. The fact of the matter is that Marsa is a “No Go Area”.
Let’s hope that our Government is wise enough not to designate further such sites in our neighbourhoods, as there will be the POSSIBILITY of all these areas to become “No Go Areas”, as is happening at present in Marsa!
Are we Maltese helpless in this situation?
Unfortunately our elected representatives seem to be abdicating their legitimate obligations in safeguarding the interests of the electorate.
As far as I know I did not vote for a programme that included such policies. Or was there something between the lines, which I didn’t see?
Quo Vadis Malta?
../..
The problems that I've had is not with illegal immigrants but with some bus drivers who don't stop at the nearby bus stop (outside Marsa Sports Club), even though they are carrying passengers and have free space. This has happened at least four times at this particular bus stop.
Where next?
Just because one does everything possible to muzzle the public does not mean that the public will eventually change its opinion, on the contrary I think that it fuels the anger which given time will most definitely turn to hatred.
Cannot understand the big deal about an officer saying things as they are.
What a pity that some extremist have decided to jump on the bandwagon!
HOWEVER, this should not alter the facts of what this brave Policeman have stated in a Court of Law, is factual and should be taken seriously by his superiors and our administrators instead of trying to hash up the issue and twist what has been stated!
I hope that what happened to Marsa will not happen to other areas of Malta.