The Greek government will deploy police officers with heavy weaponry to the island of Zakynthos (Zante) in order to maintain order and enhance security in the popular tourists’ destination in the Ionian Sea.
this was announced by Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis who visited the island on Wednesday to address security enforcement issues affecting Zakynthos.
The Minister had a closed-door meeting with officials from the Zakynthos Police Directorate, while he also had discussions with local authorities.
“Tourism industry in Zakynthos is vital for the island’s wealth, development and prosperity. Security is crucial for its continued growth,” Chrisochoidis stated, state-run news agency amna reported.
He also announced plans to significantly bolster the Zakynthos Police Directorate with the deployment of additional police officers to maintain order and enhance security, particularly in challenging areas like Laganas.
He also emphasized that in the coming days, police officers with heavy weaponry are expected on the island to address issues related to narcotics and the operation of areas facing serious law and order challenges.
Heavy weaponry!!!, this will be interesting, tourists woken by tanks rumbling through the streets perhaps?
What is happening in Greece??? Bad behaving tourists are no news but heavy weaponery is…… Is that really nesessary? And the shocking news about the Canadian-Greek family who were heavily beaten by hooligans on Crete! Awful! I have always, during +30 years vacations in Greece, felt totally safe at every destination. From Athens down to the smallest village, no matter if it was day or very late night. That has been one of Greece’s specialities, the safety and the kind people. Wonder if I must protect myself now and stop walking around in the night, if I like it??
its against drug dealers and mafia for other crimes not for “bad behaving tourists”.
You misunderstood me, KTG. Of course it is not against tourists, how bad they even behave! And that is really bad sometimes! I was not aware that the problems with drugs is so big on Zante. My worries are first and foremost the safety issue! Greece has always been safe in every aspect, as I see it. But, as in many other countries, things change…
KTG is quite correct that the main ‘target’ is drug dealing and organised crime.
Laganas has an unenviable reputation as a drugs hot spot and trouble on the streets is often fuelled by drugs and excessive (and spiked) alcohol. Maybe ‘heavy weaponry’ is a poor translation for a ‘no-nonsence’ approach by the police. A clean up of the Laganas night life is long overdue and we ordinary citizens avoid the place except during the day when all the revellers are sleeping off their hangovers.