Focusing on prevention rather than repression of juvenile delinquency, which has been escalating in recent years with incidents of bullying, assaults, thefts, and robberies, the Municipality of Central Corfu is also stepping in by establishing a competent Local Council.
The matter was discussed and approved by the Central Corfu Municipal Council at Tuesday's session.
Although the surge in juvenile violence is a complex social phenomenon, with critical factors including family, school, social media, and living conditions, more and more people are becoming aware and seeking solutions.
For this reason, in addition to the plans of the Civil Protection Ministry, primarily aimed at repression, municipalities are now also being urged to actively get involved.
Their role will be advisory and consultative, while also having the ability to take initiatives to inform parents and teenagers.
Nine-member council
In his initial proposal, Deputy Mayor of Social Policy Christos Skourtis suggested that the council should consist of seven members. Following the remarks and proposals of other political parties, it was decided that it should be composed of nine members.
The President of the Council will be Christos Skourtis, with Spiros Galanis, Deputy Mayor of Health, as his deputy. The remaining members will be representatives from the Lawyers' Association, the Police Department, the Regional Education Department, the Hospital Psychiatric Department, the Ionian Islands Social Workers' Association, the Union of Parents' and Guardians' Associations, the Medical Association, and the Ionian University.
Challenging project
Reputable sources comment that it is a complex and difficult project that will rely on the mobilisation of municipalities and the dynamic engagement and awareness they will demonstrate in combating the phenomenon.
The Council will be formed by the decision of the Mayor, following the appointment of representatives of the agencies and their deputies by the respective authorities. The Council's term of office will run parallel with the municipal term.
At the neighbourhood level
Police sources told Enimerosi that Corfu, fortunately, does not face any dramatic surge in the phenomenon, unlike major urban centres where such incidents have become commonplace.
The institution of Local Delinquency Councils is not new; however, it is the first time it is being established in the Municipality of Central Corfu. This means that initially, it will be seeking its footing in terms of operation and action.
Council's role
The task of the Local Delinquency Prevention Councils is to record and study delinquent behaviour at the local level, to develop relevant programmes within the municipality or community they operate in, to organise conferences, seminars, and related awareness events to inform the public, as well as to coordinate and implement initiatives by social entities in the area suitable for preventing or limiting certain forms of petty crime and general delinquent behaviour.
Participation in the council is honorary and unpaid. Its operation and actions are governed by existing legislation and administratively supported by the competent Department of Social Policy, Gender Equality, and Implementation of Social Protection Programmes.
CHRISTINA GEREKOU
