The first of a series of meetings of the Provincial Committee for public order and security in the area, requested by the Prefect of Messina, was held yesterday morning at the headquarters of the Maritime District Office of Sant'Agata di Militello (ME). , for a focus on urban safety in some areas of the province.
The meeting, chaired by the Prefect Dr. Cosima Di Stani, was attended by the Public Prosecutor of Patti, the Police Commissioner, the Provincial Commander of the Carabinieri, the Provincial Commander of the Guardia di Finanza, the Deputy Commander of the Port Authority of Milazzo, the Commander of the Maritime District Office of S. Agata di Militello and the Mayors of the Municipalities of Acquedolci, Alcara Li Fusi, Capizzi, Caronia, Castel Di Lucio, Cesarò, Militello Rosmarino, Mistretta, Motta D'Affermo, Pettineo, Reitano, Sant' Agata Militello, San Fratello, S. Stefano Camastra, Torrenova and Tusa.
At the beginning, the Prefect underlined that the maintenance of adequate levels of safety is a decisive element for the social and economic development of the territory, as well as a fundamental parameter for evaluating the quality of life of a community.
The choice to convene decentralized committees by area – continued the Prefect – represents an important opportunity for an integrated vision of the risk factors for urban safety, because, also thanks to the listening and precious collaboration of the Mayors, who play an important role fundamental for their community, it is possible to better understand the complex socio-economic dynamics which can, if not effectively addressed, also determine further phenomena of deterioration in the quality of life.
During the meeting, the analysis of the crime rates was illustrated, compared with the data at provincial level, integrated with the contributions of the Public Prosecutor of Patti and the representatives of the police forces: the cognitive framework of the area in question has brought out a context in which, at present, there are no serious phenomena of urban degradation and disorder. However, some phenomena of predatory crime emerge as the main problems to be responded to promptly, such as thefts, robberies to the detriment of public establishments, damage to public and private property or phenomena of neglect and degradation or the adoption of incorrect conduct by of road users.
The Mayors present, in thanking for the initiative of listening and territorial closeness, highlighted the innovative importance of a method that puts the territory and the safety needs of citizens at the center, enhancing the role of Local Authorities within the general system safety.
From a prevention perspective, the presence of video surveillance systems was taken into account, given that a greater number of cameras distributed in urban areas constitutes an important contribution to actions to combat criminal events, as well as the ability to control the territory to be part of the local police.
In this regard, the problem arising from the lack of personnel in the municipal police bodies was represented by the Mayors.
Some Mayors have also brought to the Committee's attention the issue of illegal occupations of properties, in particular used as homes by non-wealthy individuals and those with minors, and there will be further discussions on these aspects with the Administrations involved.
Among the various topics addressed, attention was also paid to the so-called. bad nightlife, on the need to close nightclubs that do not respect the rules, as well as on the presence of amusement arcades in small municipalities, which requires an intensification of controls by the police forces.
Finally, the serious impact that the phenomenon of fires has on the territory, which are very often of malicious origin, was underlined. Also in this context, the problem of the scarcity of resources and the lack of useful means to carry out an effective prevention, contrast and, obviously, extinguishing action has emerged. However, the topic will be taken up again in a meeting that will take place in the Prefecture on March 25th with the offices directly involved in the civil protection system.
In conclusion, the Public Prosecutor invited the Mayors to take an active part also towards the community, to raise awareness among families and young people of the values of legality and to contact the Police Forces if the need for their intervention is found.
The traveling meetings of the Committee for public order and safety for homogeneous areas of the province will continue in the coming weeks.
