Sir,
This letter is in response to recent anti-social incidents covered in the Cyprus Mail. In these articles, there seems to be a central theme of a relaxed authoritarian attitude that is no deterrent to anti-social activities, relying on social moral courage at all levels of society to ameliorate the pending crisis. This cannot be depended upon because there is a definite lack of it.
An article I read on Saturday December 17 in the Cyprus Mail was the impetus behind this letter. The article was about the theft of some chlorine cylinders, which were deliberately opened to reclaim valuable metals. The subsequent emission of chlorine gas into an area put 15 people in hospital with acute, but worse of all possible chronic, effects of toxic gas inhalation. What captured my attention was the response from the Limassol Police Officer in charge of the case, “Hopefully they have learned their lesson, and they’ll be more careful next time around.” Next time around? I think there are a few words missing, ‘after all boys will be boys!’ Therefore, other would-be ignorant thieves could misinterpret this to mean it’s OK to try something dangerous at least once only if lessons are learned because the authorities said so!
Do you think this laissez-faire attitude also sends out the wrong message to Cypriot drivers who this week have been scolded by their other partners in the European state for having one of the worst fatality rates, highest drink driving limits, and surveyed worst attitudes towards the Highway Code? I do, bad driving is the b?te noire of this country. Like the chlorine thieves, many drivers do not comprehend the consequences of their actions. This extends to children wedged between the two front seats of the car distracting the driver or simultaneous activities such as smoking and the use of the mobile phone whilst guiding their missiles down Makarios Avenue in Limassol. It is not only financial consequences, but personal tragedy that are afflicted upon the innocent in the event of an accident. Many seem oblivious to these consequences and many seem above the law. Cyprus is a ‘who you know’ society. This allows the privileged many to ring up cousins, siblings, and friends that work for government departments to waive fines and apply damage limitation. Therefore, lip service is paid towards the law, not a deterrent at all.
Deployment of black-suited motorcycle police officers that rigorously follow the law and effectively apply it to the cities’ streets is a start. However, they would be more effective if they were backed up by their colleagues in blue more consistently. These officers seem to oscillate in their interpretation and application of the law and seem at times quite apathetic to traffic violations. A recent example witnessed was several motorcycles speeding down the coast road in Limassol where the riders were without helmets and the bikes without number plates, a police car nearby watched helplessly.
A tough stance is required, but not at inter-departmental extremes of the law as it seems now, but a benchmark right across society where no one is above the law. This could be an effective psychological deterrent if society in general, including parents, played their parts in setting their own standards and abiding by them, i.e. strap your kids in their seats or don’t let your 14-year-old son drive the family car to get cheap driving practice. Therefore, it seems authority in a firm but fair manner needs to reach all levels of society but only realised through social moral courage everywhere. If it does not, more school kids will go on the rampage, more people will die needlessly on the roads and inevitably, Cypriot society and law will be the butt of all European jokes.
C M Ingoe, Limassol
