AD underlines need for community security in Swieqi

Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Michael Briguglio underlined the importance of community security in Swieqi and other localities. Briguglio was speaking during a press conference held in Swieqi together with AD spokespersons Arnold Cassola and Angele Deguara.

Briguglio, said AD candidates will give priority to security, noise and a sense of community if elected. "Local Councils should truly belong to residents. In this way, they will ensure that there is security in Swieqi and other localities." He added that Swieqi falls under the responsibility of the St Julian's police station which is already overstretched with the higher than average rate of thefts in the area.

"Local councils should work with law enforcement and with wardens on concrete issues such as theft, throwing away rubbish during improper hours, keeping pavements clean from waste matter and development works and noise during improper hours," Brigulio said.

AD spokesperson and Swieqi resident Arnold Cassola highlighted the clear lack of a permenant police presence in Swieqi and said that it is one of the few localities with more than 10,000 residents not to have a police station.

"Swieqi residents are suffering from two fundamental problems. On one hand, they are victims of excessive noise pollution and vandalism especially during summer; on the other hand they are suffering from the lack of police presence and lack of enforcement when it comes to traffic and parking regulations," Cassola said.

He linked Swieqi's problems with the spill over effect from the Paceville area as many people park their vehicles in Swieqi. Cassola said that persons who use Swieqi as a base do not respect the resident's right to rest.

"Construction projects are also causing great inconveniences to residents and like many other localities, Swieqi has become a permanent building site," Cassola said.