The St Julian’s mayor did not mince his words in a recent post on the social media.
Although he posed his thoughts in the form of a question, Albert Buttigieg knows that his outburst is based on the truth.
Yes, the locality, for decades the mecca of Malta’s entertainment industry, is an area where the level of lawlessness is higher than in most other towns and villages.
Buttigieg based his argument on what has happened in the past week or so, but it could have been an account of any week in St Julian’s.
It is a known fact that criminal acts in this seaside resort are frequent. Apart from the growth in the number of residents this town has seen – just look at the many apartments that have replaced quaint houses to get an idea – there is a daily influx of people from outside the locality, more so at the weekend. Many of them flock to Paceville and the Spinola area where there are countless outlets providing food, drink and entertainment.
The more people gathered in one area, the more the possibility of criminal acts taking place. The more people drink alcohol, the more the likelihood that they will be involved in some kind of misdeed, be it urinating against the wall of a private residence or a more serious punch-up. Inebriated people tend to behave differently, taking more risks than they would do when they are sober.
But it’s not only this that irritates the residents. Even the fact that they have to contend with rowdy revellers on their way home from a night out in Paceville is something they do not like. There have been several occasions when they wake up to find that the side mirrors of their cars have been twisted or that someone scratched their car.
St Julian’s plays an important part in the country’s economy. Entrepreneurs have invested millions in their hotels, restaurants and bars, attracting both tourists and Maltese wanting to entertain themselves. The great majority of people, whether dining out or having a drink, or simply going for a walk and stopping for an ice-cream, behave properly.
But the few who commit criminal acts, or simply misbehave, are a cause of concern for residents who want to live peacefully and for the businessmen who seek a return on their investment.
Buttigieg made his intentions clear – he wants more police presence in the area. The St Julian’s police station must be the busiest in Malta, and their resources are probably not enough to meet with the workload. In this sense, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa’ must try his best to provide more officers for this particular area.
Having said this, one must not turn St Julian’s into a police state. A balance must be found between the needs of the residential and business community, and policing for better control of what goes on so that any perpetrators are brought to book.
It is essential that residents feel safe in their homes, and for entrepreneurs to know that their property is protected while they are offering their services to the public.