Move to install cameras in schools approved
Fact: Personal data protection commissioner Irene Loizidou Nicolaidou approved a plan to install CCTV cameras at schools to deal with violence and delinquency.
cameras
Man arrested for setting fire to US Sen. Bernie Sanders’ office door in Vermont
A man named Shant Soghomonian was arrested for starting a fire outside Senator Bernie Sanders’ office in Burlington, Vermont. Security cameras recorded him spraying a liquid near the door and setting it alight before leaving the building. No one was injured, but there was damage to the door and surrounding areas.
Russian descent vehicle lands in Kazakhstan with three astronauts
A Russian descent vehicle landed safely in Kazakhstan with astronauts from Russia, Belarus, and the United States. The astronauts returned from the International Space Station, where they had been since last month.
Traffic camera system completion expected by May
The traffic camera system is expected to be completed in May with the installation of 90 fixed cameras. Pending issues include approval needed for specific points, such as one at the intersection in Polemidia where a fatal accident occurred. Changes are being made to improve visibility at intersections and increase the time to pay penalty notices. Plans are also in place to send penalty notices directly to drivers at airports, ports, and roadblocks. A bill is being considered to allow for SMS or email notifications of penalty notices. Awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate the public on intersection safety. Plans to increase penalty points for losing a driving license are pending, but a program for erasing points through road awareness courses is being promoted. Legislative changes are being made to address issues with non-delivery of penalty notices and unidentified violators.
Traffic fines: same penalties, longer payment period
Fact: Out-of-court fines for traffic violations in Cyprus will largely remain the same, but offenders will have more time to pay them, with the deadline for payment increasing from 45 to 60 days.
Erimi resident bound during burglary
– The perpetrators of the robbery entered the house in Erimi through the unlocked kitchen door.
– The closed-circuit cameras of the house were tampered with.
– It doesn’t seem that anything was stolen from the residence.
– The woman was not hit but has redness due to bindings and is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital.
– Four hooded individuals entered the residence around 19:00 and immobilized and tied up the occupant.
Guards and cameras to protect schools over Easter
Fact: Overnight security guards and CCTV cameras are set to be installed to protect schools from potential vandalism and trespassing over the Easter holidays. The CCTV cameras will only be placed in schools deemed to be at a higher risk of criminal activity.
Bases police boost efforts to combat illegal bird trapping
Fact: The crime of bird trapping has been reduced by 94 per cent since the establishment of an action plan in 2016.
Malicious fire investigation underway after vehicle blaze
A 53-year-old’s double-cabin vehicle was destroyed in a fire outside a petrol station in Parekklesia. The fire was determined to be maliciously started using flammable material, and investigations are ongoing.
Pros and cons of gated communities in Cyprus
Gated housing projects in Cyprus emerged about 25 years ago due to increasing crime rates, especially thefts, leading residents to seek more security. These communities offer benefits such as enhanced security, privacy, and reduced traffic, but also come with drawbacks including high initial and annual maintenance costs, potential for gate damage, and technical issues. Features recommended for gated properties include electrically controlled gates with code and remote access, intercom systems, secure override boxes, multilingual instructions, electric sensors for automatic exit, and separate pedestrian gates. Challenges include managing access codes, privacy concerns with surveillance cameras, and balancing gate operation times for security and convenience.