ZMOS: People Feel Unsafe, Discussion on Changes in Criminal Code Necessary

Bratislava, 20 October (TASR) - The Association of Slovak Towns and Villages (ZMOS) wants to launch a discussion on tightening the existing Criminal Code and on the possibility of prosecuting the perpetrators of petty thefts, which are now treated as misdemeanours, ZMOS representatives told a press conference on Monday, pointing to a significant deterioration of security situation in municipalities. "People are starting to feel unsafe. Not because the police are not doing their job, but because there are too few police officers and the perpetrators are becoming increasingly brazen, knowing that petty thefts are treated only as misdemeanours," according to ZMOS mayors. ZMOS chair Jozef Bozik described the situation as very serious, adding that he wants to initiate a discussion with Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD) on the possibility of lowering the damage threshold which was raised to €700 under the recent amendment to the Criminal Code. "We also want to discuss the possibility of introducing the 'three strikes and you're out' principle, meaning that if a perpetrator commits a minor offence or petty theft three times, this would no longer be treated as a misdemeanour but as a criminal offence," said Bozik. Representatives of towns and municipalities across Slovakia pointed to severely understaffed police, in most cases one third or even a half below the required headcount. According to Martin Chren, mayor of Bratislava's borough of Ruzinov, the perpetrators often use the proceeds from petty thefts to buy drugs. ZMOS representatives also noted that the effects of fiscal consolidation will reduce the budgets of municipalities and thus lead to cuts in the number of municipal police officers. The future of Local Civil Order Service (MOPS) patrols is also uncertain, even though they had a positive effect in marginalised communities. jrg