Community policing extended to the Alcântara Valley

"This program consists precisely of identifying the areas most in need of police intervention and improving security conditions," said Superintendent José Figueira, commander of the PML.

"Community policing is based precisely on the creation of partnerships with local entities, with the involvement of the whole community," the commander stressed, highlighting the participation of parish councils, traders' and residents' associations, the PSP and residents of the area, in the current phase of local diagnosis and mobilization of partners.

Vale de Alcântara involves three parish councils: Estrela, Campo de Ourique and Alcântara, with whom PML met to prepare the intervention in the area. "We're identifying the problems in the area so that we can adapt our policing to that space," explains José Figueira.

The community policing model includes foot patrols and regular coordination with local partners, through monthly meetings and awareness-raising activities in the community, focused on safety advice and self-protection. For the PML commander, this approach is relevant because "it brings social tranquillity and allows for greater dialogue to identify the problems of each territory and, consequently, a simpler and quicker resolution".

As for operationalization, the PML provides for the definition of the team's profile, the selection and training of the elements and the start of patrols with a constant presence in the territory. The teams are formed "according to their profile" and "according to the needs of the area", guaranteeing a response adjusted to the local reality.

Community Policing in Lisbon is an innovative model in Portugal, and internationally regarded as good practice in urban security. The traditional role of the police is extended, in conjunction with local partners, to increase the feeling of security and improve the relationship of trust between the police and the population.