Following this morning’s promenade attack and murder earlier this year in Sliema, PN MP Graham Bencini is suggesting 24/7 police patrols for Sliema, St Julian’s And Swieqi: what are your thoughts? An exaggeration or well-needed?
I cannot think why it would possibly seen as an exaggeration. Everywhere in Malta residents are asking for more police patrols, yet every time somebody suggests more enforcement around St. Julians the counter-argument including by some government agencies and business owners is that we have to be careful that Malta does not end up looking like a “police state”. My question is, why would this be a problem? Yes we do need more law enforcement, full stop. We aren’t talking about heavily armed SAG officers (or RIU or whatever they are called now) wearing kevlar vests, even patrols by the community policing team is enough to leave a noticeable difference. The only people who would feel uneasy about a police officer strolling along the promenade are the law breakers themselves.
We have enough money to give a direct order to a politician’s cousin to screw in a light bulb for a million euros but more money for police? Sorry mate… we’re all out.
It’s kind of surreal that an attack happened at that park in Sliema. I run there 2 to 3 times weekly, and in general around that area daily. The attack took place just after 7am. Usually the promenade is somewhat busy with runners, walking groups, people walking their dogs, people working out Iin the park, and there is also a bus stop. Even at 6 in the morning, there are many people out running and walking towards that direction. It really seems like random occurrence that early in a week morning.
St Julian’s protection though, it’s basically because Paceville is a shit hole. I personally want to see Paceville closed down and re-established with less shit low quality places, and targeted to more mature/well behaved people and tourists.
I mean since were not allowed to carry pepper spray to defend ourselves might as well have some patrol officers in the hopes that creeps stop creeping.
I dont feel safe jogging in haz zebbug anymore after a random incident i had with a stranger (a man). Not exaggerated by far.
The state of the island is really bad. I think that most criminals don’t feel that there are lots of deterrents to doing a crime, hence they feel incentivized to do crimes. Foreign criminals found guilty of committing a crime should be deported instantly. No questions asked. The person came from a war torn country? Tough luck. They should have behaved. This makes sense but some people disagree with me. Locals should be punished further by being told to do hard labour…etc.
Police in problem areas often end up either being racist or corrupt. I wouldn’t like to have them without bodycams and feeds that are stored at least 6 months with hassle-free access for anyone who has legitimate interest.
Better would be security guards though with a clear-cut objective that is limited to the actual problems and are trained to de-escalate. If necessary, they can always call the police for additional backup.
6 comments
I cannot think why it would possibly seen as an exaggeration. Everywhere in Malta residents are asking for more police patrols, yet every time somebody suggests more enforcement around St. Julians the counter-argument including by some government agencies and business owners is that we have to be careful that Malta does not end up looking like a “police state”. My question is, why would this be a problem? Yes we do need more law enforcement, full stop. We aren’t talking about heavily armed SAG officers (or RIU or whatever they are called now) wearing kevlar vests, even patrols by the community policing team is enough to leave a noticeable difference. The only people who would feel uneasy about a police officer strolling along the promenade are the law breakers themselves.
We have enough money to give a direct order to a politician’s cousin to screw in a light bulb for a million euros but more money for police? Sorry mate… we’re all out.
It’s kind of surreal that an attack happened at that park in Sliema. I run there 2 to 3 times weekly, and in general around that area daily. The attack took place just after 7am. Usually the promenade is somewhat busy with runners, walking groups, people walking their dogs, people working out Iin the park, and there is also a bus stop. Even at 6 in the morning, there are many people out running and walking towards that direction. It really seems like random occurrence that early in a week morning.
St Julian’s protection though, it’s basically because Paceville is a shit hole. I personally want to see Paceville closed down and re-established with less shit low quality places, and targeted to more mature/well behaved people and tourists.
I mean since were not allowed to carry pepper spray to defend ourselves might as well have some patrol officers in the hopes that creeps stop creeping.
I dont feel safe jogging in haz zebbug anymore after a random incident i had with a stranger (a man). Not exaggerated by far.
The state of the island is really bad. I think that most criminals don’t feel that there are lots of deterrents to doing a crime, hence they feel incentivized to do crimes. Foreign criminals found guilty of committing a crime should be deported instantly. No questions asked. The person came from a war torn country? Tough luck. They should have behaved. This makes sense but some people disagree with me. Locals should be punished further by being told to do hard labour…etc.
Police in problem areas often end up either being racist or corrupt. I wouldn’t like to have them without bodycams and feeds that are stored at least 6 months with hassle-free access for anyone who has legitimate interest.
Better would be security guards though with a clear-cut objective that is limited to the actual problems and are trained to de-escalate. If necessary, they can always call the police for additional backup.