Public Order and Local Safety Working Group meeting

In November 2009 Gdańsk Municipal Guard distributed questionnaires on safety and public order issues amongst UBC members. 34 cities from Baltic Sea Region completed the survey. The research has confirmed that public order and safety were main priorities in the examined cities. Additionally, analysis of findings have showed that safety problems were common and affected all inhabitants of the BSR.

The representatives of nine UBC member cities: Botkyrka, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Nacka, Riga, Sopot, Tukums, Tallinn and Vilnius took part in the meeting.

The idea which appeared behind the survey was to work cooperatively, share knowledge in order to deal with the above problems. Municipal Guard of Gdańsk invited all potentially interested BSR cities to start the process of turning the concept into real actions.

The meeting took place on 25-27 March 2010. The conference was attended by representatives from nine cities: Botkyrka, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Nacka, Riga, Sopot, Tukums, Tallinn and Vilnius.

It was decided that an organizational framework was necessary. All participants agreed that establishing the Task Force within UBC structure must be the first step towards further cooperation. Therefore, the city representatives have signed the Letter of Intent which would be presented during the 58^th UBC Executive Board meeting on 4-5 June in Trelleborg.

The Task Force would be cooperating in order to improve security services as well as assure the better safety standards and procedures for all BSR citizens. The problems which seems to be completely solved in some cities still exist in others. Creating the Task Force will allow not only to expand knowledge, but also to gain and share experience. The initiators hope that joint efforts could help to make BSR a safer and tidier place to live. The first official Task Force Group meeting is planned to be held in October 2010.