Safe Communities Algarve (SCA) was formed exactly one year ago as a website aimed at providing a one-stop shop for crime prevention advice in the Algarve.
At its launching in October 2011 at a British Consul Outreach event attended by Jill Gallard, the British Ambassador, David Thomas said that the aim of SCA was to “promote safe communities, enhance security awareness and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime”.
Events have moved forward quickly since then and, as a result, SCA has become the main focal link between residents and the GNR on a diverse range of crime prevention issues as well as the Safe Residence Program.
Its services have also expanded from simply providing downloads of crime prevention information to developing joint programmes with the GNR, such as “My GNR” and organising the recent series of crime prevention seminars.
As a result of this, and its consequential increase in workload, SCA was registered as a non-profit association last week under the name of Associação Safe Communities Algarve.
David Thomas, who was elected President of the Association at an inaugural meeting, stated “this is a major milestone as it is believed that this is the first registered crime prevention association in Portugal.
“Whereas in a number of countries there are associations such as ‘Crimestoppers’ in the UK and the National Crime Prevention Council in the USA, there have been no similar community associations to date here in Portugal aimed at helping the police. The reliance has been on the state to provide crime prevention, whereas, of course, it is everyone’s responsibility”.
Portugal does, however, have an excellent resource in the form of those residents who do great voluntary work, who formed and assist the GNR in running the Safe Residence Programme in some 30 villages. One of the aims of SCA is, therefore, to give support to their work.
Following the registration, the Faro District Command of the Public Security Police (PSP) congratulated SCA on the achievement.
They stated: “It is public knowledge that one of the main objectives of the PSP District Command is the construction of an increasingly safer community, so we must recognise and welcome the good work done by this association towards crime prevention in Algarve, which we hope to reinforce in the near future, through the deepening of our support.”
Looking to the future of the association, David Thomas said that the main focus of its activities over the next year will be to further develop its website and range of services; greater use of social media to connect with residents; conduct more crime prevention seminars and collaborate closely with the GNR and PSP in supporting their programs.
The territorial commander of Faro GNR, José Manuel Lucas Pimenta, said that he welcomes all changes brought about by SCA in the past year and that “these amendments will surely increase the communities’ sense of security”.
Also contributing his support, the Mayor of Faro, Macário Correia, said: “It is with deep satisfaction that I see the creation of this useful and promising association in defence of the interests of foreign communities living in sensitive areas. I am sure that the example set by SCA can be pioneering and replicated in many other places.”
British Ambassador to Portugal, Jill Gallard, said: “I am very pleased to learn that Safe Communities Algarve is now formally established as an association in Portugal. I know from the very positive feedback our consular team in Portimão has received that the work that David Thomas has done in raising crime prevention awareness within the Algarve community in general, not just amongst British residents, has made a significant impact on the perception and understanding of crime levels and crime prevention in the region.
The consular team in Portimão and I have established a very strong relationship with David. Some of us joined him recently, along with the GNR and PSP, at a number of very well attended crime prevention seminars which also drew very positive comments. I am sure that the benefits from being recognised as a formal institution in Portugal will ensure that further excellent progress and results are assured.”
David concluded that the forming of the association will help carry forward a number of new initiatives which are planned in association with the GNR, PSP and other authorities.
