Paphos acting mayor Angelos Onisiforou on Sunday called for the installation of surveillance cameras in parks and other public spaces to be accelerated following repeated incidents of vandalism and damage to municipal property.

In a statement, Onisiforou said protecting public property and improving safety in the city’s public spaces had become a priority.

“We cannot sit idly by as public property is being destroyed,” he said, adding that residents should feel safe when using public areas.

Onisiforou said he had already contacted other mayors and that a meeting was expected to take place during the week to coordinate efforts by local authorities to move forward with the installation of cameras.

Where the existing legal framework allows surveillance cameras to be installed, the process should begin immediately, he said.

Where legal or procedural obstacles exist, Onisiforou said local authorities should push for legislative changes that would give municipalities the necessary powers to better protect public property.

“The law cannot be used as an excuse for inaction in the face of repeated vandalism,” he said.

Onisiforou stressed that installing cameras was not an end in itself, but an additional tool to deter would-be vandals, protect municipal property and help identify those responsible for damaging public property and infrastructure.

“The city does not belong to vandals. It belongs to its citizens,” he said.

He added that the municipality would pursue the issue through the appropriate institutional channels with the aim of protecting public spaces and making residents feel safer.