Neighbourhood watch scheme for Geroskipou

NEIGHBOURHOOD watch programmes are vital if the public wants to prevent crime according to sociologist and criminologist Maria Constantinou.

She is currently coordinating the neighbourhood watch programme in GeroskipouMunicipality.

Constantinou told the Cyprus News Agency on Saturday that there are currently 250 people signed-up to the programme and that her role is to organise informative campaigns, registering people and informing them about public safety.

The neighbourhood watch programme began in Geroskipou in October last year aims to prevent crime and provide safety to residents and their property.

Peyia was the first area to implement a neighbourhood watch programme in Cyprus followed by Dali municipality three years ago. Other communities have since followed suit.

By signing up, members have many benefits according to Constantinou, which include receiving SMS messages about burglaries, thefts, robberies or other illegal activity which may have taken place in Geroskipou so that they can take precautionary measures to protect themselves.

Constantinou said she is in almost daily contact with the community policeman who informs her about any new criminal activity in the area.

She added that it is important to note that the police do not encourage the public to take the law into their own hands and that the responsibility of arresting criminals belongs to the police.

 

 

 

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