Mayors will hold a meeting within the coming week regarding the installation of cameras in public spaces, according to Paphos Mayor Angelos Onisiforou.
In a social media post, Mr. Onisiforou stated that “cameras in public spaces must and will be installed,” adding that “we can no longer stand by and watch public property being destroyed and citizens feeling that no one can protect their city.”
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He accompanies the post with photos of an incident of vandalism in Paphos.
“People need to feel safe. Families must be able to use parks and public spaces safely, and residents’ property must finally be effectively protected.”
For this reason, Mr. Onisiforou adds, “I have already contacted all the mayors, and later this week we will hold a meeting with a specific goal: to move forward in a coordinated manner with the installation of cameras in parks and public spaces.”
Where the existing legal framework allows for their installation, we must proceed immediately, Mr. Onisiforou emphasized, while where there are legal or procedural obstacles, “we will push for the necessary legislative changes to give local authorities the tools they need.”
“Legislation cannot serve as an excuse for inaction in the face of repeated acts of vandalism.”
At the same time, he emphasizes that cameras are not an end in themselves, but rather an additional tool for prevention, protecting municipal property, and identifying those who believe they can destroy, with impunity, what citizens pay for.
“The message must be clear: the city does not belong to vandals. It belongs to its citizens. We will protect our public spaces. We will protect the property of our residents. And we will do whatever is necessary—through institutional measures and with determination—to ensure that citizens feel safe in their city,” concludes the mayor of Paphos.
