We are at the height of the summer season, in the middle of August – a time when most people are on holidays, or on shutdown, village festas are happening practically every day, and the tourist population on our islands is at its highest. These summer nights abound with activities, and young and old alike spend a lot of time outdoors making the most of the atmosphere.
This brings with it a number of problems, especially in residential areas like Sliema, Swieqi, Pembroke, St Julian’s, Msida, Gżira and Ta’ Xbiex, which border on the entertainment hotspots. I recently chaired a number of meetings with people who live in these areas, where we had a frank and open discussion about certain problems and concerns that they are facing particularly at this time of year.
These meetings were not just talk shops. In order to make sure that all entities concerned were involved, I was accompanied by the mayors of the localities, the Acting Commissioner of Police, a representative from Transport Malta as well as senior district police officials.
Being up close and personal with these families gave me an insight into their situation. Their major concerns included the recent spate of thefts in these areas, excessive noise, especially at night, vandalism, transport and parking issues. I heard senior citizens express a fear of going out, or others who are still traumatised after having been robbed.
I heard parents who cannot send their children for a carton of milk from round the corner, because they fear they will be subjected to harassment. This is simply not acceptable, as people have a basic right to feel safe at all times, especially on their own property. Hearing people recount their experiences and fears strengthened my determination not to have these problems swept under the carpet, as had been the practice in the past. The problems are there, and it is only by accepting their reality that concrete actions can be taken to address them.
The weight of responsibility for tackling most of them lies with the forces of law and order, namely the police. As the minister responsible, having heard these problems first hand, I held long meetings with police officials, planning the necessary measures, and ensuring that words translate into action.
The number of foot patrols has been increased both ostentatiously, as a deterrent, and also less apparently, for investigative purposes. Six more police officers were assigned to the Sliema police station, and the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) is focusing more on these areas. From what I am being told by residents, the RIU arrive on the spot almost immediately an incident is reported.
I heard senior citizens express a fear of going out, or others who are still traumatised after having been robbed
The decision I took earlier in my tenure as minister, that of amalgamating the mobile squad with the then under-utilised Special Assignment Group (SAG) has proven to be effective. Another action taken earlier on in this administration was the increase of the police complement from 1,950 to 2,023. We gave the possibility to experienced police officers, who, in the past, had started to feel uncomfortable with the way things were and left, to rejoin. This stop-gap measure has already partly compensated for the staff shortages in the corps we inherited, coupled with over 100 retirees since then. We also have 114 new recruits who will pass out as fully fledged police officers in November.
For the first time, these young men and women are undergoing their training at the new Police Academy at Ta’ Kandja, which we built.
This is a far cry from the one foundation stone laid down with so much fanfare by the previous government, a stone left all alone, nowhere near where the building was actually planned, and without any Mepa permits having been obtained for the building.
Yet, the Opposition spokesman on home affairs keeps harping on about this one stone left there by his administration, seemingly having nothing better to do than to endlessly place parliamentary questions about it.
Summer brings with it another spectre, that of unattended children spending longer hours at their computers, with all the risks this involves. To counter this, the cyber crime unit has not only increased its vigilance during these months but is also being strengthened with new recruitment.
Have all the problems been solved? Have all law breakers been apprehended? The answer is that no, they have not, but real work is being done, and results are showing. We are increasing our efforts through prison reform so that offenders leave the Corradino Correctional Facility with the possibility to turn over a new leaf, and not as more hardened criminals.
The police force has this year celebrated 200 years from its foundation. The government is giving the force its full support and all the resources possible. The men and women who make up our police force have felt this renewed injection of trust and are reacting positively.
Together, we are working very hard to make it an effective and modern force, which carries out its duties with competence and commitment for the benefit of all.
Our society deserves no less.
Manuel Mallia is Minister for Home Affairs and National Security.