Lisbon Mayor Open to Installing Surveillance Cameras in Martim Moniz After Recent Assault Incident

Mayor's Commitment to Safety in Martim Moniz

Carlos Moedas, the Mayor of Lisbon, expressed his willingness to install surveillance cameras in Martim Moniz, contingent on the Public Security Police (PSP) deeming it necessary to combat crime in the area.

"What I advocate is that the PSP and the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) conduct their assessments, and the CML is here to execute, because since the central government hasn’t done so, the CML is installing and paying for these cameras,” Moedas stated. He emphasized that while the CML has already prioritized other areas for camera installation, he is open to adding Martim Moniz if the PSP requests it.

Recent Incident Raises Concerns

Moedas's comments came in light of a reported sexual assault involving an Italian student in Martim Moniz. The Mayor highlighted that the CML is working on a significant project to enhance safety through the installation of 240 cameras across various city locations, although none are currently planned for Martim Moniz due to its non-priority status given by the MAI.

He reiterated that the PSP, being the experts in urban security, should guide these decisions. Moedas has consistently raised concerns about the increasing violence in crime execution in Lisbon and the decrease in police presence, which has dropped from 8,000 officers in 2010 to 6,700 today.

Ongoing Efforts for Increased Police Visibility

The Mayor is committed to advocating for more PSP officers in Lisbon, stating, “I will continue to fight for more PSP in Lisbon” to ensure that municipal police can effectively assist in law enforcement. He also noted the importance of police visibility for public safety, especially considering that over 30% of Lisbon's population are non-nationals, which he views as a point of pride that necessitates enhanced security measures.

The investigation into the assault is being handled by the Judiciary Police (PJ), following a report made by the PSP after the incident was reported by the victim.