NOTES OF MEETING WITH THE POLICE AT KAMARES CLUB - 22 MAY 2018

NOTES OF MEETING WITH THE POLICE AT THE KAMARES CLUB 22 MAY 2018

After a brief introduction by Cathi Delaney she explained that regrettably the head of the Burglary Unit in Paphos had advised at short notice that he could not attend as he had been called to an urgent incident.

This meant that there would be a presentation by Andros Stylianou, the Community Policeman for Geroskipou, regarding Neighbourhood Watch and the opportunity for questions only relating to that topic.   It was appreciated that the non-attendance by the head of the Burglary Unit was regrettable but that Cathi would endeavour to obtain answers to the questions already raised with her but that this would probably take time.   Cathi also asked that if people had questions they wished to raise with the Burglary Unit, could they please email her.

Good morning to everyone. Thank you for being here

My name is Andros Stylianou and I am a community police officer at Geroskipou area. I am here today, to talk you about the basic information of Neighborhood Watch scheme.

What is Neighborhood Watch scheme:

1.      is a crime prevention scheme that is implemented through a partnership / cooperation between the Police, Local Authoritiesand Citizens.

2.      The aim of the scheme is to raise public awareness about personal and home security

3.      and to encouragecitizens to actively participate in crime prevention, with the ultimate goals of reducing criminality, increasing the level of safety and generally improving the quality of life

Within the framework of the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch scheme, the Police:

1.      Informs about the offences committed in your area, or about offences which may affect you in some way.

2.      Advises regarding crime prevention measures such as: How to make your home and property less attractive to criminals and how to watch out for suspicious or criminal activity.

3.      Advises NOT TO PUT YOUR LIFE IN DANGER and let the Police chase and arrest criminals as it is their responsibility.

4.      Encourages reporting to the police any unusual, suspicious or criminal behavior that you may notice.

Members’ roles

            You, the members of your Neighborhood Watch scheme, are the eyes and ears of your area. Don’t leave it up to others! Be alert and play a part in any way you can.Work together with your neighbors, fellow citizens and the Police for your own safety, the safety of your family and property, as well as of the area where you work, or live. 

Area Co-ordinator

The Area Co-ordinator serves as a link between the Police and the members of each Neighborhood Watch scheme. The Area Co-ordinator for Tala is Cathi Delaney from Tala Council and she is responsible for:

1.      Organizing meetings for the Members of the NWS

2.      Keeping close contact with the Police

3.      Promoting activities that develop and strengthen the scheme.

4.      Encouraging the participation of new Members

How to contact the Police

If you notice that any life or property is in any danger or under any form of threat (e.g. fire) or if you suspect that an offence had been or may be committed, or if you have heard / seen anything suspicious, call: 112.

For non-urgent incidents, call your local police station (26-806060), or Citizens Line 1460.

On the NWS leaflet, you can find the information required by the Police, which will help you give a description of a suspicious person or / vehicle.

How to enter the Neighborhood Watch scheme:

People who are not already members of NWS, please fill the form with your details or email Cathi Delaney with your information [toffee@primehome.com]. Tala communicate security and NW matters via email. 

Police leaflets [text from the leaflets is now on www.talanews.blogspot.com - Category Security]

I suggest that everyone takes the police leaflets we brought here for you. These are about:

1.      Neighborhood Watch scheme,

2.      Protecting yourself from a burglary and

3.      Vehicle theft prevention tips, so as you won’t become the next victim!

Thank you very much for your attention

QUESTIONS/ISSUES – some issues were raised several times so questions/replies have been combined together in some instances:

1  Neighbourhood Watch signs and stickers

Could there be more signs installed around Kamares please if these were felt to be a deterrent.

It was pointed out that signs had been placed at all the main entrances to Tala and Kamares.  However,  as a Council, Tala are often criticized as people feel there is either too much signage, or they do not like where a sign has been positioned [ie it is visible from their property or verandah].

2  How long does it take the Police to respond to a call?

Response time will depend on where patrols are, what resources there are available and what other incidents there are at the time.   There is a shortage of Police officers.   Andros gave an example of an incident around a month ago when he went to a complaint regarding loud music.  The problem was in fact a drunk woman and he had gone to the call on his own.   The woman was swearing at him and trying to attack him.  In the end he had to arrest her, but needed help in case she accused him of assault.   He had to wait 40 minutes for help to arrive, so it was important for residents to realise that staffing levels affect not only residents but also Police officers.

Residents also pointed out that with some villas there was a plot no on the gate and for others a house number.  Which will Police use?   Residents should tell the Police the number shown alongside their gate – if they give a house number but the sign is for the plot number then this will create confusion!    If possible, could residents please ensure that the sign is for their house number as this will help not only the Police but anyone else trying to reach their property.   

There have also been comments regarding the fact that many roads in Kamares are not shown on Google maps.   Cathi has tried to contact Google without any joy and the matter is now with the Marketing Department of Leptos to try and rectify the matter.   The majority of Police vehicles now have SatNav fitted.

3  Higher Police presence required.

We hear that burglars take around 7-10 minutes to break into a property and steal whatever they wish to steal.   We need more front line Police to help residents and Police.  A small Police Station in Kamares with one or two officers is needed.

Another resident advised that Cyprus was no different to any other country.   You would not get Police responding to a burglary within minutes, wherever you were.  Perhaps it was now time for residents to take measures themselves, ie exert pressure regarding the upgrading of the security cameras in Kamares.

The provision of a Police Station in Tala would be a Government decision and it was felt that the Council, with the support of residents, should write direct to the Ministry of Justice setting out their

-concerns

-wish to co-operate with the Police

-need for a higher presence of Police as residents do not feel safe

-need for more Police patrols in the area

-disappointment in the systems and laws and stating that these need to change

Another resident said that he knew what measures he needed to take to protect his property but wanted to hear from the Police as to what steps they were taking and what they were doing.  Residents need to feel safe and not have to worry about what could happen.   He felt that everyone’s time had been wasted today as everyone knew how to organize their lives and properties.   He had attended today to hear answers and these were not being given.   It was explained that the Head of the Burglary Unit had been unable to attend and, as explained at the start of the meeting, the officers present could only discuss/answer questions in respect of Neighbourhood Watch.

4 CCTV Cameras

Concerns were raised as to whether these were working and why the Police did not access the footage.   Cathi explained that Areti and herself had been at a meeting with the Police Chief in Paphos a few weeks ago.   The view of the Police is that the existing cameras are in need of replacement as the footage captured is poor, not worth the resources of the Police to access it, and not good enough to be of benefit in court.

Leptos have been looking at options for the last 2 years and have identified that CCTV cameras would be the best way forward in Kamares.  Leptos are reviewing options and obtaining specs and it was thought intended to discuss the options with KVHA/Kamares residents in due course.

It was felt that perhaps it was now time for residents to work with Leptos to try and push this issue forward.  One resident suggested that as Tala Council had imposed a €20 charge for a limited time to facilitate creation of the cemetery, perhaps something similar could be done again on Kamares residents so that the cameras could be upgraded.

It was also suggested that KVHA would be calling an EGM shortly to discuss the new legislation for Clubs and Societies in Cyprus and the steps the KVHA was taking, and perhaps the provision of CCTV cameras could be included in the agenda of this EGM, if this was permitted.

Residents also asked what representation there was at the meeting from Leptos.  The only person from Leptos present was Ricardo Severini and he advised that he was taking notes to pass to the Leptos team.

5  What action can a resident take against an intruder?

Reasonable force only can be taken against an intruder and the Courts would then decide what is ‘reasonable’ with each case being judged on its own merits.

It is not recommended that anyone tackle an intruder but that they hand over whatever valuables they demand.

Could security guards be armed for example?  Only the Police and Army can carry guns.

6  Statistics

It was felt that statistics were needed – how many incidents [burglaries] had there been in Kamares, how many arrests and how many convictions.   Statistics over a 5 year period would be useful.   Cathi has already requested this information.

7  Other security measures

One resident said that closing a Facebook account could be beneficial – too many people share too much information regarding new vehicles, jewellery, holidays, absences, etc.

Improvement of street lighting on Artemis was mentioned as there was possibly only one  street light – could more be considered – and the one that was there often was not functioning.

Cathi advised that in the event of  non-functioning street lighting, a call should be made to the Electricity Board [1800] – you need a note of the number on the pole, the street name, your name and phone no.

Cathi also advised that following the recent meeting with the Police Chief in Paphos it had come to light that:

- break ins were happening via unlocked or open doors and/or windows

-inadequate safes were being used [for example a document safe was being used to hold large amounts of cash]

-red plated cars were often being used in incidents and that 3 stolen ones had been found in Kamares recently

-the content of the current security cameras was poor and not worth Police resources to access footage

- main targets are cash and jewellery

-main target time for breakins 6pm to 11pm whilst residents were out for a meal

Another resident pointed out that in the past Cyprus has always been seen as safe.   Do Police have adequate training to deal with modern day crime?

Andros advised that Police do indeed obtain training but the problems stem back to the Government providing and funding adequate Police.   Andros advised that the Police are doing their best.   Two colleagues were shot recently.  As a result, there have been extensive searches underway, with arrest and search warrants issued, and these activities are tying up Police resources as they attempt to remove some criminals from the streets.   The Police have to do everything ‘by the book’.  They get into trouble if excessive action is taken and that action is likely to cost them their jobs and benefits, plus the cost of legal representation, plus whatever financial penalty the court imposes, plus whatever compensation the criminal asks for.

If you have a career criminal, his lawyer will recommend that he pleads guilty to, say, 30 burglaries.  The court will impose a prison sentence of 9 months; he will serve 5 months and will then be back on the streets offending again.

Andros stressed to residents not to keep large amounts of money on the premises.  There were two breakins in Kamares last night [a third was subsequently reported] – one lost over €4,500 cash and the other around €1,800 cash.  Some jewellery was also stolen from both properties.  He said that he followed the guidance himself in the Neighbourhood Watch leaflets – do not keep cash or  valuables, ie jewellery, on the property.

8  Residents Letter to Minister of Justice

A lady advised that in the last 5 years she had been robbed twice.  Despite having an alarm and a safe, in the latest incident they disconnected the alarm so there was no warning on the mobile phone and the neighbours did not hear anything.   This resident is inviting people to come along to the Paphos Fort on 30 June to sign a letter to the Minister of Justice [more information regarding this event, ie times and exact location will be advised in due course].

9  Zelemenos area of Kamares

Questions were raised as to which Police Station would deal with an incident in Zelemenos – as Zelemenos falls under Koili, then Stroumbi would be the Police Station involved.

Zelemenos residents are also concerned as to whether they are included in any Police patrols.   As far as it is known, the Police patrols and any arranged by Leptos, cover all of Kamares.

A summary of the Collective Private Patrol Initiative for Kamares was given by Anna [see posting ‘Letter to Kamares residents re Collective Private Patrol Initiative’.]  It is hoped that the first group of 30 residents will be ready to discuss quotations/tenders received later this week.   Anyone in Kamares interested in joining this initiative should please contact Anna direct.