“We are here to make a commitment to the residents that we are committed to serving their safety. In the coming days, the reality of Zakynthos will change and improve significantly, so that residents, above all, and their children, are safe. And at the same time, visitors must feel that they are arriving in a place that respects their dignity, safety and physical integrity,” stressed the Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, after meetings with EL.AS officials and agencies in Zakynthos.
The minister visited the island on Wednesday and held successive meetings, emphasizing security issues, especially the “difficult points,” as he said.
In this context, Michalis Chrysochoidis announced the reinforcement of the police force on the island to face the intense problems that arise during the summer season in conjunction with the increase in tourist traffic, while also mentioning the possibility of a permanent reinforcement of the police force on the island.
“We have discussed all security issues with the Greek police officers, so that residents and visitors feel safe. It has been decided that there will be a major reinforcement of the Zakynthos Police with dozens of police officers, who will take charge of order and security in difficult locations such as Laganas, but also with Road Accident Prevention and Control Teams for road behavior, because this is also an important issue both for our culture and for our security,” he said and referred in more detail to the Hellenic Police’s planning for the reinforcement of police forces on the island.
In particular, he noted:
There are reinforcements and officers from the Athens Anti-Narcotics Police are here, who will work throughout the summer to deal with serious drug trafficking cases.
Permanent police teams with pre-investigative duties are also on the island.
Heavily armed police officers will be here to deal with drug-related issues and to operate in areas that – like Laganas – face serious law and order problems.
Special emphasis was also given to issues of coping domestic violence with Mr Chrysochoidis noting that “we have several incidents in Zakynthos. Domestic violence is dealt with by a large Domestic Violence Office that operates with 8 police officers, who work very well.” He appealed to “all victims to speak up, to report incidents” as “the police will be on their side”.
As regards issues juvenile delinquencynoted that “we are actively addressing their issues youth violence both inside and outside schools. We are here with small but decisive forces at every meeting of minors to enforce the order. But I appeal to parents, where there are children who are systematically delinquent, to exercise diligence, because the responsibility lies primarily with them,” said the Minister for Citizen Protection.