Lisbon is witnessing a concerning increase in security issues, with five to six incidents reported each night, according to the ADBP. This escalation accompanies existing problems in the city, such as illegal street vending, intensified sales of pressed bay leaves, and drug consumption and trafficking in public spaces.
Manuel de Sousa Lopes, president of the ADBP, indicated that the association has been holding regular meetings with the Lisbon Public Security Police (PSP), the Lisbon City Council, and the Santa Maria Maior Parish Council to address these growing security concerns.
In light of the worsening situation, the ADBP has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of Internal Administration. The goal is to ensure coordinated actions from central government officials, as local efforts alone have proven insufficient to tackle the current scale of issues.
“We have made our case and are awaiting a response to our security needs in Baixa. Expedited installation of video surveillance is crucial, not just for commercial security, but for city safety as well,” stated Lopes. Such a system would serve as “the eyes of the police on the streets,” enabling swifter responses to prevent robberies.
Lopes described an alarming rise in a new wave of thefts, which have become a significant concern for business owners. “These premises-breaking robberies are starting to pose a severe problem for open-door businesses,” he added.
The thefts generally involve breaking into establishments, looting, and then leaving, affecting all kinds of commerce, including traditional stores where display windows are smashed to access goods inside.
“In some instances, the glass is smashed out of sheer malice, while in others, products from inside the establishment are stolen,” he explained.
The ADBP noted that this phenomenon is contributing to urban decay, fostering a sense of impunity, and endangering the commercial activity and safety of residents, workers, and visitors.
