Police officers with rakes were out in playgrounds. Spring part of Jehla (needle) event has started.
For over five years now Prague City Police has been involved in cleaning up the city from dangerous things; these were not only needles and syringes, but also glass bottles shards and other dangerous objects.
Good opportunity for prevention
Preventive checks are done together with first sunny days; this is the time when after a long winter mums with their children or preschools are heading out to playgrounds. This is also a good opportunity to talk to children and warn them about the dangers and instruct them on what to do in case they find a used syringe or needle.
The results weren’t a surprise
“Police officers checked up to 218 playgrounds where they found 148 syringes and 126 needles,” stated spokeswoman for Prague police Jana Přikrylová. The majority of playgrounds were clean but police will during their patrol duties focus on those which had more finds. The cleaning events usually run twice a year but police cars are equipped by small containers for dangerous waste so they are ready for similar situations at all times.
