INHABITANTS of a Strovolos neighbourhood yesterday appeared divided over plans to locate a police station in the middle of their residential area.
Residents have already written several letters complaining about the matter but police have not yet given their reply.
The residents claim that the site, a building initially earmarked to house apartments, is unsuitable and that the quiet neighbourhood was no place to locate a police station.
It is understood however that the necessary changes to the building on Ambelokipon Street have already been made, including the cage designed for keeping confiscated motorcycles.
Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Lazaros Savvides told the Cyprus Mail that a letter had been sent to the Chief of Police asking him for his views on the matter.
He said he knew of three complaint letters sent by the residents: to the Chief, himself, and the President of the Republic.
Savvides said he expected the Chief’s reply early next week.
In one of the letters, residents point out that the building is in a housing estate and that no permit had been secured in accordance with the town planning law to change its use.
“The proposed form of development and use, is not in line with the character and appearance of the specific housing zone and the safe movement of pedestrians, especially children, and would create disturbances since it is expected to increase traffic and noise pollution,” the letter said.
One resident, who wished to remain unnamed, claimed the decision was illegal and arbitrary.
He said sending the letters was within their right as citizens and revealed that a letter was also send to the Ombudswoman on Wednesday.
There would be traffic and noise 24 hours a day, the resident said.
“The role of the police is not to sit behind a desk and receive complaints,” he added.
The resident said they did not want their children playing around armed officers or trying to dodge the inevitable traffic that would be created in their peaceful neighbourhood.
“I thought at the beginning that it would be secure but there are also problems,” he said.
He added: “It’s their duty to provide security but they don’t need to be outside our house.”
The resident expressed the hope that the government would look into the issue because it was the laws and regulations of the state that were being violated.
“It’s a shame for the government to stomp all over laws and ignore the town planning regulations.
“Just the noise from the officers would be intolerable; it’s not right for a police station to be located in a neighbourhood,” the resident said.
But there are residents who disagree with that approach.
Costas Christou denied that the whole neighbourhood was against the plan: “Most residents are positive about the station for security reasons.”
“Only a few days ago a kiosk was robbed just up the road,” he told the Cyprus Mail.
He said those who opposed the move were over-reacting and in his opinion the police station would not be noisy and there would not be any traffic.
“There would have been more noise if the building was used to house flats,” Christou said.
“It’s 100 per cent security; that’s how I see it,” he said.
Christou suggested that the majority of residents wanted the station in the neighbourhood.
“Most people want the station to come here; they are opposing what the majority of the area wants,” he said.
He said the residents knew about the plans six months ago but it was only recently that any complaints had been voiced.
