750 surveillance cameras to be installed throughout Attica, says Economou

A total of 750 video surveillance cameras will be installed throughout Attica, Citizen Protection Minister Yannis Economou announced on Monday at a press briefing on upcoming ministry initiatives.

The cameras will be integrated in the current network of Hellenic Police and Attica Region and will contribute in dealing with traffic-related issues, and they are also expected to help crack down on criminal activity, noted Economou.

Another camera-related intiative that is expected to be implemented soon is body cameras for police officers and cameras in patrol cars, he added. The tender for those should be announced within a month’s time. Procurement of the cameras will be covered largely by European Union funds.

Other initiatives mentioned by Deputy Citizen Protection Minister Kostas Katsafados, who attended the meeting, include taking police officers off protection of high-profile individuals and putting more police officers on street patrols. In addition, with progress in automation of court procedures, police officers can return to the streets, while the new Court Police, launching in February, will free more police officers for patrols.

More thorough checks on legal guns was also mentioned, including some 1 million registered hunting guns, noted Economo