Vandalism - a worrying trend?

[geoffreys]

I see that the Limassol port delays post-privatization are being blamed on vandalism, I would call it criminal damage.
Then last weekend there was vandalism in Paphos Old Town with newly planted saplings being cut down and shop windows
smashed, again what can only be described as criminal damage.
This is surely (??) a worrying trend for all of us, for all citizens.
There are no reports of the police investigating these crimes, this seems very odd indeed.
Geoff.

[keving]

Why would we need to see "reports" on the police going about their day to responsibilities?

A bit over the top if you ask me. Not unlike asking for the minutia of Geoff's life (get up, go to beach, go home, go to bed). Not necessary.

[Dominic]

Not posting a comment is always an option, keving.

[Dominic]

One thing I don't get about the graffiti, is why some expat vandals insist on writing ACAB in big letters. Now, I know full well what that means, and I have even seen it tattooed on one rather large chap's fist. But, are the Cypriot Police actually aware of what it means? If they aren't, isn't it even less pointless than the usual guff sprayed?

[PW in Polemi]

I had to google it too!

[geoffreys]

Why would we need to see "reports" on the police going about their day to responsibilities?

A bit over the top if you ask me. Not unlike asking for the minutia of Geoff's life (get up, go to beach, go home, go to bed). Not necessary.

Well it was just that press reports usually say (e.g. in a road accident) so and so took place and the Police are
investigating.
It just seemed odd to me that at the Port it was criminal damage because (one assumes) those responsible don't like the idea
of privatization, so one might reasonably expect the Police to be on the case and publicized as being so.
Especially as the smooth and efficient operation of the port is vital (as the President pointed out during his visit there last Saturday)
to the Country's economy!
The Paphos town center incident was most likely the result of too much alcohol etc.
Geoff.

[Dominic]

...is why some expat vandals insist on writing ACAB in big letters. Now, I know full well what that means

Well I didn't, and had to Google to find out. Maybe I've lived too sheltered a life

I lived in London in my twenties, Sarf Lahndahn to be precise. It was murder getting a cab back from the west end of an evening. You met all sorts in the local pubs though.

But anyway, this kind of re-inforces my argument. If you don't know what it means, what is the likelihood that the Paphos Astynomía will know they are being insulted?

[J B]

I had to google it too!

Me too ...

[ApusApus]

...is why some expat vandals insist on writing ACAB in big letters. Now, I know full well what that means

Well I didn't, and had to Google to find out. Maybe I've lived too sheltered a life

I lived in London in my twenties, Sarf Lahndahn to be precise. It was murder getting a cab back from the west end of an evening. You met all sorts in the local pubs though.

But anyway, this kind of re-inforces my argument. If you don't know what it means, what is the likelihood that the Paphos Astynomía will know they are being insulted?

When was "Sarf Lahndahn" next to the "West End" ............. must have been an expensive can ride!


Shane

[Dominic]

Hey it was the early 90s.

[ApusApus]

We asked a Cypriot friend of ours why "BOM" was sprayed on various signposts & other things, he explained that it was to signify the year of birth for army conscription ................ BOM was Born of the Month, ** was the Year!


Shane

[Lofos-Jan]

Just a small correction, the 'Boom' as in 95 Boom signifies just the year of birth. School years here are known as the year of birth as schools work on years. So everyone born in one particular year will all be in the same school year. So when you ask a fellow Cypriot about school days, he will give his birth year. My husband is forever telling new colleagues that he is '64' (although he is only 52). The 'boom' doesn't mean anything - just 'boom'. So it is sprayed by oiky school kids who all group together in one year. The current conscript year is '99 Boom' so it will be interesting to see if the 16 and 17 year olds can work out what to do with the 21st century numbering!

[ApusApus]

Doesn't correlate to what we have seen or been told, it's always been BOM plus 95 for example BOM95 sprayed on signposts etc, not the other way round!


Shane

[Lofos-Jan]

Sorry definitely Boom Shane. I am the mother of a Cypriot 99 Boomer who is going into the army in July. You will see the 99 Boom posters and banners all over the high schools this year. I would incidentally string him up if he sprayed it on a lamp post!

Jeanne

[ApusApus]

Plenty of lamp posts on the way to Polis!


Shane

[Lofos-Jan]

Polis???

[ApusApus]

Polis???

Sorry is Polis not in the district of Paphos ........ or County as we say back home!


Shane

[memory man]

Vandals strike Paphos old town, cutting down new trees and smashing windows

VANDALS in Paphos old town were caught on CCTV cutting down newly planted trees and smashing shop windows, aided by insufficient street lighting, officials said on Tuesday.

The incidents took place in the early hours of Sunday in a part of Paphos old town which is currently undergoing major upgrading works leaving some roads dug up and areas unlit.

Paphos Green Party district secretary, Andreas Evlavis, said that the mindless stupidity of such actions must not go unpunished and is appealing to the municipality and the police to ensure measures are in place to curb such behaviour.


“The three young men were captured on camera leaving a nightclub and footage shows them cutting trees,” he told the Cyprus Mail.

The incident which occurred at 3am involved newly planted saplings which are being planted around the town with the aim of beautifying the area. He said around two hours late, at 5am, the trio turned their attention to nearby shops, smashing the windows of three of the premises.

“There are not enough lights and not enough police. There need to be more police in the area, especially after 12am, at least until the roads are completed and the lighting installed.”

He warned: “We don’t want the old town to turn into another Ayiou Antoniou street,” – referring to ‘bar street’, in Kato Paphos which is in the heart of the tourist area and full of bars, clubs and cafes.

Evlavis said that store owners in the area are worried about such incidents and the lack of lighting.

“These are the actions of stupid people doing stupid things just for fun.”

One businesswoman said that a lack of lighting is ‘asking for trouble’ and that police need to be more visible in the area.

“A few months ago there were a number of burglaries around here and now this. The weekends in particular, need to have a stronger police presence and the municipality should do something about the lighting, even if it’s temporary.”

The local Green party secretary said that police mustn’t ignore the incidents or merely give the perpetrators a slap on the wrist.

These matters must be taken seriously. The police must find and arrest these three and they must pay for their crimes, there can be no excuses. We need to be stricter.”

LINK TO SOURCE

[trevnhil]

I am not at all sure what the police can do about this. If the culprits have been caught on camera the MAY be able to find them, but it is a slim chance.

Trev..

[Lofos-Jan]

It does beg the question as to whether CCTV in every area is the answer. Something I would personally hate but there seems very little else as a deterrent nowadays.

Jeanne