Both Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat and Nationalist MP Kristy Debono are warning that the issue of security will continue to worsen in Swieqi, and that CCTV surveillance is an absolute must.

In June 2013 Mrs Debono put forward a parliamentary question asking about plans to tackle crime in Swieqi in the light of the ongoing situation. In his response, then Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Manuel Mallia stated that measures were already underway to tackle the issue, specifically with regard to police patrols of the Swieqi district as well as by the Mobile Squad. In addition to this, he also added that police surveillance through the use of CCTV cameras was also being discussed.

Mrs Debono stated that since the reply, just over two years ago, “no commitment has been shown” with respect to CCTV surveillance or an increase of foot patrols by the current administration. Mrs Debono said that the top concerns for Swieqi residents are security, police presence and CCTV surveillance. Due to persistent crime over the past two years, and the lack of action with regard to certain security issues, many residents have opted to install their own CCTV cameras outside their homes.

Crime in Swieqi is becoming “more intense” as time goes by, added Mrs Debono. The introduction of the Swieqi police station was a step in the right direction, and had a positive effect on crime reduction; however, it is not manned 24 hours-a-day as was stated in the past by Dr Mallia, but is open “40 per cent of the time” said Mrs Debono. An unmanned police station is of no use for the mitigation of crime; therefore in addition to increased patrols and the introduction of surveillance, the police station must be manned round the clock.

Mrs Debono concluded by saying that prior to the parliamentary summer recess, she had submitted about 10 parliamentary questions all related to security in Swieqi, and that she is certainly “looking forward” to the replies once Parliament resumes.

Mayor of Swieqi Noel Muscat also outlined the need for CCTV surveillance in Swieqi, as the problem of crime is a “persistent” one. He added that the problem will not clear up due to the continual increase of the Swieqi population, as well as an increase in the short-let holiday rental apartments being made available in the area.  Mr Muscat said that surveillance equipment has been tried and tested in other cities all over the world; therefore this is not a risky move but one that would improve the situation as well as peace of mind for many vulnerable people.

(Swieqi residents protesting a few weeks ago about their locality's lack of security)

Mr Muscat went on to say that residents put forward requests for surveillance equipment for a number of reasons such as illegal parking, pet owners persistently not picking up dog excrement in public spaces and last but not least, security reasons. He said that the residents “are right” and all reasons for requests were fair and valid, and surveillance would be set up where a problem persists in various areas of the locality.

Turning to the issue of monitoring, Mr Muscat said that the police would most likely be monitoring the screens but would not need to monitor them all the time, as footage can be retrieved when a crime has taken place. In this way the surveillance equipment would act primarily as a deterrent, but can still be used to bring criminals to justice.

Mr Muscat also said that it would be preferable to have screens showing CCTV footage at the Swieqi police station. He added that if the Swieqi Local Council set up surveillance cameras and the screens placed at police headquarters in Floriana for example, other localities would follow suit, which would mean that the police stationed there would be responsible for too many screens and requests for footage. By having the screens at the Swieqi police station, this would ensure the ability to act in real time should the situation arise.  

Mr Muscat concluded by saying that a few individuals have contacted him with the hope of helping with the issue of security, and that initiatives made by the community are extremely valuable.