The local parliament is categorical: It will insist on a police station in Sarafovo until the Ministry of Internal Affairs refuses : Black Sea Lighthouse

George RUSINOV

The local parliament of Burgas came out with a definite message to the Minister of the Interior. With 46 “yes” votes, the municipal councilors supported a report drawn up by all political forces, demanding that Kalin Stoyanov open a police station in the Burgas district. The Fifth District Administration – Burgas is now responsible for order and security in Sarafovo.

As “Black Sea Lighthouse” wrote, at a meeting held with the local people on April 18, their desire to have a separate section was clearly stated, so that they would be more relaxed. Until now, the local leadership of the Ministry of the Interior did not consider it necessary to disclose such, and among the stated reasons was the lack of economic justification.

“Strength lies in differences, not similarities. I am delighted that we have all signed up to this extremely important report and will be sending this long awaited request to the Home Secretary. There has always been a problem with the police presence in Sarafovo. There is one statistic in the report about crimes in the territory of the neighborhood. Everyone can interpret whether they are many, whether they are few, but for the people living in Sarafovo, every single crime is too much. When it comes to the security of citizens, the economic argument should not be considered. Latent crime is also indicated in the report, i.e. the undocumented. There are many cases that do not reach the Fifth District Office. This problem cannot wait to be postponed any longer, because every day that passes means a delay in time for the section. I urge everyone to support the report. Even if the Minister of the Interior does not allow the construction of such a section, every single Municipal Council from now on, regardless of who is on it, should submit this request for permission,” said Arch. Delyan Georgiev.

The floor after him was taken by Evelina Mihaleva, who has lived in the neighborhood ever since, according to her, it was peaceful.

“Having only one entrance and exit to the neighborhood itself made it safe. The neighborhood has already grown tremendously. There are many people, correspondingly many construction crews. You don’t know who is who. We all knew each other before. I also support the desire of my neighbors to have a constant police presence. I don’t know how the police will come up with it, but there really needs to be more control. More than 10,000 people live permanently in the neighborhood, although not all of them are officially registered there. Economically, is it profitable? None of us will be looking at this item. Security is important nowadays. It is also a fact that we are very close to Sarafovo Airport, which in these troubled times makes people very anxious. You know that airports, train stations are subject to terrorist attacks, as we have already had in the neighborhood,” she said.

Stoyko Andreev from ITN added that they would also support the report, but offered something else.

“Let the Commission on Public Order and Security hold a meeting with the head of the Fifth Regional Office and the director of ODMVR-Burgas and see what measures should be taken to strengthen the constant police presence in Sarafovo. We see that there is a problem and we can solve it,” explained the municipal councilor.

Chairman Mihail Hadjiyanev answered him that the two things are not mutually exclusive, on the contrary – they even complement each other.

“Perhaps in May you can really hold an extraordinary meeting of the commission. Call the police, they are our friends and partners, ask these important questions. Let’s show that the Municipal Council with its commission shows an attitude towards the problem”, declared the first among equals.

Georgi Manev welcomed his colleagues for putting pressure on the state until a section is revealed.

“All the things summarized up to here are true and our role is to behave ourselves, to be innovative in the context of all the nonsense that is happening in the state, and to demand that the most correct solutions are obtained for the Municipality of Burgas, even if there are some administrative or legislative obstacles. Thanks again for your support. Unity makes strength!” he concluded.

The vote ended with thunderous applause in the hall.