From Mr R. Scicluna

As a councillor of the St Julian’s locality, allow me to comment on the letter titled “Police presence in St Julian’s” by WPC 101 R. Grima on behalf of the Commissioner of Police (TMIS, 30 September). In spite of the St Julian’s local council’s regular cooperation with this locality’s police authorities, one cannot fail to note that, as Ms Grima’s letter itself admitted, there is still “room for improvement” in the St Julian’s/Paceville area.

As far as “police presence” is concerned, many residents are aware that from Mondays to Thursdays, the only police presence ever noticed in the St Julian’s area is an occasional police inspection/patrol at the lower end of Ross Street (St Julian’s), where police officers issue bookings when taxis are supposed to park (in the vicinity of the stands).

As regards the Paceville zone, one can mention Church Street, Salvu Privitera Street, Wilga Street, Dobbie Street, Ball Street, Gort Street and Paceville Avenue as “nuisance spots”, because groups of 30 youths (each group often meets on the parapets of Paceville residents (rendering their lives a nightmare). One can now ask why, even after 11.30pm, efforts are hardly ever made to move such rowdy people away.

At the same time, I must admit that manning Paceville is no easy task and, due to this, I cordially invite any police officer stationed in the St Julian’s/Paceville area to contact the St Julian’s local council should the police on duty ever need a lending hand.

Richard Scicluna

ST JULIAN’S