Public Order Minister Dendias, Athens Mayor Kaminis sign cooperation memorandum

Public Order & Citizen Protection Minister Nikos Dendias and Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis on Wednesday signed a cooperation memorandum to reduce crime and ensure compliance with traffic rules and other regulations in downtown Athens, which has been severely

affected by the government's decision to abolish municipal police forces as part of the public-sector employee mobility measure.

The memorandum provides for constant communication between the municipal authority and police, setting common goals and actions and conducting intensive inspections by joint crews to curb illicit trade.

“Athens has improved in the past year as regards the reduced crime rate, but on issues of orderliness, like illegal parking, things have gotten worse,” Mayor Kaminis said, noting that one year after the abolition of municipal police the picture is disappointing. “Under these conditions, I am amazed that I was re-elected,” he underlined.

Dendias said that the situation in downtown Athens has improved compared with 2012 and noted that the memorandum of cooperation aspires to solve existing problems to improve people's daily lives. He added that with Kaminis they will discuss how small street protests can be handled to ensure that the centre of Athens will not be closed off as a result of demonstrations.

source: ΑΜΝΑ