Alarming rise in youth violence
Nikos Loizidis, speaking on Sigma’s “Tomes sta Gegonota”, expressed grave concerns over escalating youth violence and insufficient police numbers. He described organized attacks on officers using molotov cocktails, flares, firecrackers, and stones, often led by masked minors. In one incident, around ten hooded individuals ambushed a two-officer patrol car after setting a fire, attacking with pyrotechnics and rocks; the officers narrowly escaped death.
Not custom, but criminal acts
Loizidis highlighted dangers from practices like Easter bonfires (lambrajia) presented as customs, stressing they threaten public safety. He advocated for legislation to enable prevention, noting tolerance leads to uncontrolled situations. One officer sustained minor injuries, and three patrol cars suffered serious damage in the reported episodes.
Loizidis emphasized criminal dimensions of minors’ actions, including conspiracy to commit felonies, possession of explosives, offensive weapons, rioting, and assaults on police.
“We are talking about juvenile criminality, not simple delinquency,” he stated, warning it leads to young adults involved in murders and organized crime years later.
Parental responsibility essential
He insisted on criminalizing parental negligence, citing Greece where parents face arrests for their children’s serious offenses. “Society does not force you to be a good parent; legislation can,” Loizidis said, pushing for stricter measures.
Exhausted police face constraints
Police are at breaking point, with leaves and rest days cancelled for critical nights yet no funds for overtime. Frontline officers are psychologically and physically exhausted, he noted. Tear gas use was impossible in residential areas due to risks to civilians and road safety, while lacking equipment like stun grenades hampers operations.
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