Security is one of the main criteria that people use when choosing where to live. It ranks with the quality of health care, environment, the cost of living and others.

  • What does city security mean? It does not only concern crime. It includes various phenomena that can affect the lives of Praguers in an unpleasant way.

“All citizens have probably been somehow affected by an event that has been linked to the city’s security. Be it floods, traffic incidents, fires or unfortunately also street crime – in the wider view, all this affects the city’s security.”

  • The City of Prague can in a way affect these events. Will it have enough finances in its budget this year, considering it has been hit by the economic crisis?

“Security is one of the priorities of the Council’s programme statement and although the crisis did affect the city’s budget, this aspect has not been curtailed. There are financial means to increase the number of patrols in the streets as well as money towards investments in the city’s security systems. There has even been a slight increase in the sphere of non-investment money, as we also have to ensure the continuation of the city’s camera system.”

  • How effective is the camera system. Are last year’s results available yet? Will the system be extended further?

“The statistics are still being processed. Yet it is already evident that thanks to the city’s camera system, 7.5 cases have been solved – mostly administrative delicts, but also serious offences. City districts, the Police of the CR and Prague Municipal Police require that hundreds of other posts be created. This year, we will install between 40 and 60 new cameras and we will continue in extending the system further. At the end of the year, some 550 to 570 cameras will be in operation in Prague. Also the time limit during which it will be possible to trace back an incident will be extended. Other improvements that are being prepared include recognition of abandoned objects as prevention of acts of terrorism.”

  • The Fire Brigade certainly contributes to the feeling of security in the city. The professional fire brigade is financed by the State, however volunteer fire fighters are looked after by the city. What will you do for them this year?

“It is true. We continue buying special technology ranging from vehicles to equipment for individuals. Volunteer fire fighters are part of the plan of the coverage of Prague by fire fighting units, so they cannot be left out. Besides, we are planning to renovate and extend the fire house in Letňany, which will be included in the integrated rescue system.”

  • Last year, there were talks about the construction of a new Emergency Medical Service building in Troja. Will that happen?

“The new building was originally meant to be erected beside Na Bulovce Hospital. But last August, the Council decided to build it at Troja Bridge and the exit from Blanka Tunnel. The commencement of the construction will thus be deferred but not dramatically. As for the time needed to get to the place of an emergency, the Emergency Medical Service made a huge leap forward last year. The service is an integral part of the integrated rescue system. The new building and the whole area for technology and the heliport will create conditions for Emergency Medical Services to provide quality services while ensuring higher comfort for its employees.”