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One hundred years ago the foundations of INTERPOL are laid

INTERPOL’s 91st General Assembly took place in Vienna from 28th November to 1st December 2023 and marked the organization’s 100th anniversary.

The idea of INTERPOL was born in Monaco at the first International Criminal Police Congress (14 to 18 April 1914). Officials from 24 countries discussed cooperation on solving crimes, identification techniques and extradition.

After the First World War, the idea of an international police body was revived by Johannes Schober, President of the Vienna Police. The International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC), the predecessor of INTERPOL, was established in September 1923 with headquarters in Vienna and with 20 founding members. It was created during the 2nd International Police Congress in Vienna in 1923. Wanted persons notices were first published in the International Public Safety Journal

The overall aim of the ICPC was to provide mutual assistance between police in different countries. Its structure and aims were documented in a series of Resolutions (available to download in the Related Documents below, in German and French). Among the main themes were: Direct police contact; Cooperation on arrests and extradition; Common languages; Creation of offices for counterfeit currency, cheques and passports; Fingerprinting techniques and records. These principles are still relevant today and continue to feature among INTERPOL’s activities.

Portugal joined the ICPC in 1924, and today remains as one of 196 INTERPOL membership countries.

Moving forward, the 4th General Assembly in Amsterdam adopted a Resolution that each member country should establish a central point of contact within its police structure. This was the forerunner of today’s National Central Bureaux (NCBs)

By 1930, specialized departments were established to deal with criminal records, currency counterfeiting and passport forgery. Data was compiled and analysed manually until the 1980s, when computerization of our records began.

In 1956, The ICPC became the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO-INTERPOL) with the adoption of a modernized constitution. The Organization became autonomous by collecting dues from member countries and relying on financial investments. Interpol launched its international radio network, providing an independent telecommunications system solely for the use of the criminal police authorities. By 1966, 34 countries had stations and its network carried more than 90,000 messages per year

Until the 1980s when computerization began, INTERPOL’s records were kept on paper, and data was compiled and analysed manually using card index files. Today, INTERPOL provides member countries with instant, direct access to a range of criminal databases containing millions of records. These include information on names of criminals, stolen travel documents, works of art and vehicles, firearms, biometrics and child sexual exploitation images. The response time for a database query is less than a second.

Underground water reserves at risk due to climate change – according to study

Caldas da Rainha, Leiria, 30 Nov 2023 (Lusa) – Climate change could compromise the quality of existing strategic water reserves in underground ecosystems, concludes a study in 12 caves across the globe, coordinated by Portuguese scientist Ana Sofia Reboleira.

The study, published on Saturday in the scientific journal Scientific Reports, from the Nature group, analysed “an unprecedented set of data” collected over a year in caves in various parts of the globe, from subarctic to tropical regions, including in Portugal, caves in the centre of the country, in the Algarve and the Azores.

Over the course of a year, the temperature in caves and on the surface was measured every two hours, totalling more than 100,000 measurements, which “demonstrate that the temperature in the caves corresponds to the average annual surface temperature for each location”, said Ana Sofia Reboleira, Professor at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and researcher at the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, to the Lusa agency.

According to the biologist “the caves responded with three different patterns”: one in which the variation in outside temperature is reflected in the cave with a small delay, another in which the temperatures on the surface are quickly reflected inside and, a third in which they work in mirror, the lower the surface temperature, the higher inside the cave and vice versa.

More surprising was the discovery of the “existence of daily thermal cycles in some caves”, considered by the researcher “particularly interesting because in ecosystems with a total absence of light, organisms lack circadian rhythms, that is, biological rhythms marked by the natural cadence of day and night controlled by sunlight at the surface.”

This discovery “shows that these daily thermal cycles can potentially control the biological rhythms of underground organisms”, a hypothesis that is proposed for the first time in the history of Biology.

“These ecosystems are inhabited by unique species that play a very important role in what scientists call ecosystem services” since, she explained, “it is these animals that guarantee the recycling of nutrients in depth, of some contaminants that arrive there, which control bacterial growth and other types of problems that can affect us.”

In the case of organisms adapted to low amplitudes and reduced thermal variability, the increase in temperatures by several degrees, due to climate change, “will certainly affect these organisms responsible for guaranteeing the good ecological status of these underground water bodies”, which represent 97% of total freshwater resources available for immediate human consumption.

Among the caves covered in the study, the scientist highlights the case of one in Loulé that recorded the highest surface temperature, with more than 39 degrees, and another in the Azores, with the greatest thermal amplitude, with a variation of 8.8C, explained by the fact that it is a volcanic cave.

The impact of climate change, combined with the fact that underground ecosystems “are constantly neglected in political and public agendas”, lead researchers to now move forward with laboratory studies “on the effects of rising temperatures on these organisms” aiming to estimate the maximum temperatures that these will be able to handle it.

The study now published included, in addition to the coordinator, the participation of Maria João Medina, a master’s student whose dissertation included the study, and Paulo Borges from the University of the Azores. At an international level, the work involved researchers from the United States, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Croatia and the island of Guam, in the Pacific.

DECIR 2023 – ALGARVE 15^th NOVEMBER 2023

On 15^th Safe Communities Portugal attended the Presentation given by Comandante Vitor Vaz Pinto concerning the results of DECIR Algarve 2023.

Results presented, referring to the Special Device to Combat Rural Fires (DECIR) 2023, between January 1st and October 31st, are a reflection of a high spirit of selflessness, with a sense of mission and body, of all those who contributed to the defense of our rural space against fires.

1. Investing in the training and qualification of human resources continued to be a priority in the Region. In this context, 33 training/operational training actions were carried out, totaling 797 hours of training/training, directly involving 546 operatives from the various Civil Protection Agents (APC) and Entities with a duty of Cooperation (EC). It is worth highlighting the continued implementation of operational training actions for tracked machine (MR) operators, coming from Municipal Councils and private companies.
2. Although the accumulated daily meteorological severity values recorded in the Algarve Region exceed the values of the decade, the area burned in the year 2023 is considerably lower than “expected” based on the behaviour of each fire given the severity recorded in the period of its development.
3. In terms of surveillance, they were covered by operational prevention teams, namely forestry sappers (ESF), municipal forestry intervention teams (EMIF), surveillance teams from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), by the Army Portuguese and National Republican Guard (GNR) 133,665 km in 12,312 hours of patrolling.
4. Between January 1st and October 31st, the increase in risk required the elevation of the State of Special Alert (EAE) from the Integrated Protection and Relief Operations System (SIOPS) to DECIR, in 109 days, which translated into in increasing the readiness of response forces and adopting anticipatory measures.
5. In a collective and coordinated effort, given the increase in EAE, firefighting teams (ECIN), firefighting brigades (BCIN) and firefighting groups (GCIN), were pre-positioned in Strategic Locations of Pre-Positioning (LEPP), close to the rural areas most vulnerable to the occurrence of rural fires. There were 14,508 hours of commitment in the Barrocal and Algarve mountains.
6. Comparing the values for the year 2023 with the history of the previous 10 years, there were 16% fewer rural fires and 44% less burned area compared to the annual average for the period under analysis.
7. Between January 1st and October 31st, 556 occurrences were recorded, which corresponds to an increase of 15.8% compared to the same period in 2022. It should be noted that there was a substantial increase in false alarms, which represent 51, 6% of occurrences.
8. Of the 556 occurrences, 269 were fires whose ignition originated in the region and which resulted in a burned area of 789.77 hectares (ha). Compared to the previous year, although these values represent a 28% increase in the number of fires, there was a 62% reduction in the total burned area.

1. The Baiona fire, in the municipality of Odemira, whose burned area was more than 7,500 ha, also considerably affected the municipalities of Aljezur (1,635.85 ha) and Monchique (363.59 ha), which represents 26.5 % of the total area burned in this large fire.
2. Analysis, by level of commitment, of the comparison between the year 2022 and the year 2023, in terms of number of fires and burned area:
3. Of the 269 fires, 259 were controlled in the initial attack (ATI), before reaching 90 minutes of fire, counting from the time of the alert. Only 10 fires were not extinguished in the initial phase, even though they benefited from a muscular ATI. The burned area that resulted from these fires represents 95.5% of the total area burned in fires started in the region.
4. The municipalities of Loulé (62), Albufeira (33) and Silves (31) had the highest number of fires. However, in either case, the fires are mostly small in size (do not exceed 1 hectare of burned area). The most affected municipality, in terms of the burned area, is Aljezur with 1,924 hectares (1635.85 ha resulting from the Odemira fire), followed by Monchique with 412 hectares (363.59 ha resulting from the Odemira fire) and Castro Marim with 331 hectares.

1. In 2023, fires with a burned area of less than 1 hectare were the most frequent, representing 94% of total rural fires. There were only 3 fires with a burned area exceeding 100 hectares. No fire was recorded, starting in the region, whose burned area exceeded 350 ha.
2. Saturday is the day of the week with the highest number of fires recorded (45).
3. 16% of fires had a starting time of 2 pm. It should be noted that 15% of fires occurred at night, that is, between 9 pm and 6 am.
4. Of the total of 269 rural fires that occurred in the Region until October 31, all were investigated and the cause investigation process has been completed. The investigation allowed the attribution of a cause for 161 fires, the most frequent causes being the use of fire, accidents and arson.
5. Heavy machinery was used in 11 fires, with 41 MRs being mobilized to fight fires. There were 449 hours of work (the equivalent of 18 days of operation).
6. ATI air assets were committed to 264 missions. Of these, 53 missions involved intervention, which resulted in 43 fires being controlled outside the theater of operations (TO), representing an effectiveness rate of 81.1% in this dimension of the device.
7. As performance indicators, the operational objectives established by National Operational Directive (DON) no. 2 – DECIR were observed, with the Region recording average media dispatch times of 50 seconds, a value that reflects the effectiveness of this process, well below the maximum time of 2 minutes provided for the entire continental territory.
8. 20. The first land resources to arrive at the TO took, on average, 11 minutes and 42 seconds, well below the 20 minutes foreseen in DON no. 2 – DECIR. Regarding the arrival time of air resources from ATI to TO, the average was 8 minutes. The average fire resolution time was 34 minutes and 52 seconds, and the operating concept envisages putting out fires in their initial phase, up to 90 minutes after the alert.

Did you know?

World’s first earthquake detector was invented 2000 years ago in China

A seismograph is an instrument that detects and measures the motions of the ground as a result of seismic waves gushing from an earthquake, volcanic eruption or powerful explosion.

Today, there are thousands of such instruments dispersed in key places around the world that constantly keep watch, gather data and help seismologists better their understanding of how earthquakes work.

You might be surprised to find, however, that the first seismograph was invented in China in 132 AD by a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, engineer, and inventor called Zhang Heng.

The instrument was said to resemble a wine jar nearly two metres in diameter, with eight dragons positioned face down along the outside of the barrel, marking the primary compass directions. In each dragon’s mouth was a small bronze ball. Beneath the dragons sat eight bronze toads, with their broad mouths gaping to receive the balls.

When the instrument sensed an incoming seismic wave, one of the balls would drop and the sound would alert observers to the earthquake, giving a rough indication of the earthquake’s direction of origin.

. The device is said to have been very accurate and could detect earthquakes from afar, and did not rely on shaking or movement in the location where the instrument was positioned. The first ever earthquake recorded by this seismograph was supposedly somewhere in the east. Days later, a rider from there reported this earthquake

The insides of the seismometer was filled with a sensing mechanism of some sort, the contents of which have been lost in time. In all likelihood, a simple or inverted pendulum was employed, according to experts

In 2005, scientists in Zengzhou, China built a replica of Zhang’s seismograph, estimating the content of the inner mechanism by using technology that was available during the great inventor’s time. They used the replica to detect simulated earthquakes based on waves from four different real-life earthquakes in China and Vietnam. The seismograph detected all of them. As a matter of fact, the data gathered from the tests corresponded accurately with that collected by modern-day seismograph.

Book about Zhang Heng’s invention is available from Amazon – could be an interesting read

https://www.amazon.com/Zhang-Heng…/dp/1641701684

They don’t make scientific instruments like they used to!

SEMINAR – SAFE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR FESTIVE PERIOD

MUSEU DO TRAJE SÃO BRÁS DE ALPORTEL FRIDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 17.00 to 19.00 HRS

The aim of the gathering is to learn more about the operations of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and the Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR) (National Road Safety Authority) over the Christmas and New Year festive period, in terms of their priorities and tips we can learn from them in order to have a safe festive period. Information will also be provided by Camara do Municipal de Sāo Brás de Alportel.

The focus will be on: Security of property over Christmas period especially if property will be empty, safe driving, Police enforcement and processes, reporting suspicious activities and crime, on-line scams especially shopping scams and safety tips.

Apart from the presenters we are honoured that Coronel Carlos Almeida Comandante Comando Territorial de Faro da GNR, as well as Presidente da ANSR, Professor Doutor Rui Ribeiro will be present, so this will be a good opportunity to meet them personally.

There will be plenty of time for engagement with the presenters, as one of the aims is to discuss and answer your questions, on topics of interest to you. As we know during this period, people maybe away on holiday leaving their property unoccupied, pre-Christmas shopping on-line with the potential for scams, as well as a seasonable increase in road accidents and issues such as drink driving.

The location is: R. Dr. José Dias Sancho 61, 8150-141 São Brás de Alportel and there is adequate parking nearby.

To ensure there is adequate seating for all, please confirm that you will be attending contacting admin@amigosdomuseu.com no later than 14th November. We look forward to meeting you.

ACTION TO TAKE BY THOSE WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES DURING EARTHQUAKES

In promoting actions to take during an earthquake, much of the promotional material is for those who are mobile; the recommended actions to take being, to DROP, COVER, HOLD ON preferable under a heavy table.

But what should you do if you are not fully mobile?

If an earthquake occurs one occurs you will need to adapt for your situation:

If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, to move under a table i.e. DROP COVER HOLD or cannot get back up again without the help of a caregiver or someone else, then follow these recommendations:

If you are in a recliner or bed: do not try to transfer during the shaking. Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops.

If you use a cane: follow the Drop, Cover, and Hold On instructions on the previous page, or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Either way, keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.

If you use a walker: LOCK your wheels (if applicable) and carefully get as low as possible. If your walker has a seat, sit and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. If no seat, try to get down with your head lower than the top of the walker. Bend over, then HOLD ON until shaking stops.

If you use a wheelchair: LOCK your wheels. COVER your head and neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Bend over and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

“A TERRA TREME” NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS EXERCISE – NOVEMBER 14TH

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) promotes the national seismic risk awareness exercise, called “A TERRA TREME”.

This initiative is part of the activities that form part of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection and aims to empower the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake, sensitizing citizens to the fact of living in a risk society, and challenging themselves o to get involved in the process of building safer and more resilient communities.

The exercise comprises the practice of 3 simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practice them in the face of an earthquake.

The action takes place during one (1) minute, in which the participants, individually or collectively, are invited to perform the 3 self-protection gestures: DROP, COVER, HOLD.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Everyone can and should participate: individually or in groups, wherever they are.

HOW?

People/organizations/schools/etc are invited to register in the dedicated area of the website. At the date and hour do the exercise and share it on social media afterwards

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1 – REGISTRATION – Register on the site, expressing your interest in this campaign. Refer to the number of expected participants and contacts for possible sending of more information.

2 – PLAN – Define the dimension you want to give to the exercise, which can go from the simplest level with the practice of the 3 gestures, to the elaboration of a more complete exercise that even tests an Emergency Plan, involving different entities.

3 – DISCOVER – Involve everyone in your family and organization and share information about A TERRA TREME through your contact list, encouraging them to participate.

4 – CONSULT – Share the dissemination materials available on the site, reinforcing individual and collective preparation for an earthquake situation.

5 – EXERCISE – On the date and hour do the exercise and share it on social media afterwards

The “A Terra Treme” site https://www.aterratreme.pt/

Is the deal too good to be true?

For retailers this is the best time of the year, but also the most profitable time for scammers. What I am talking about is Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is something we should be aware off, regardless of where we live, as the internet does not respect national boundaries.

Although there are some fantastic bargains to be made on what is known as Black Friday (this year 24th November) and Cyber Monday 27^th November, unfortunately there are criminals who take advantage of this through various scams and on-line fraud.

According to a survey undertaken by GFK a marketing organisation, 63% of consumers are eager to take advantage of Black Friday promotions and a third will start searching for offers a month before the event.

The volume of ecommerce business invoiced during Black Friday week in Portugal should be between 120 and 130 million euros. According to the study, the majority of people (72%) plan to spend an average of 290 euros during Black Friday, which is an 11% increase in value compared to 2022.

Forty-two percent of respondents indicate the fashion sector (clothing, footwear and accessories) as the one in which they intend to take advantage of Black Friday promotions, with the top three of preferences being completed by household appliances (29%) and books (27 %)

Just over half of consumers (54%) plan to shop on Black Friday, both online and offline during the event, with 25% saying they prefer to buy online and 16% opting for physical stores.

Therefore with a greater emphasis on on-line shopping it is important that consumers are aware of the scams that exist and how to avoid them.

Buy from traders you know and trust

When it comes to shopping online, it’s always safest to stick to familiar shops and brands that you know you can trust. If you feel you must shop with an unknown trader, make sure you research them first, by looking at independent reviews.

The most obvious things to look out for that signal a scam website are, firstly, website quality and copy/editorial quality. If something about a website’s design feels less than professional it’s worth being suspicious.

If you’re not sure of a website, make sure you have a look at the URL when you’re paying for your purchase. Any transaction you make should be on a page with an HTTPS link rather than an HTTP link as this ensures the transaction is safely encoded.

Deals too good to be true might be a sign of a scam. Read the fine print on who is behind the bargain, total price including delivery, policies on cancellation and refunds, and warranty terms.

Don’t assume all is good if you see no complaints. Often, scammers set up shop just as quickly as they close down their fraudulent operations and make off with their proceeds. Don’t be sold solely on the fact that a company or individual seller has no complaints. Do your homework and research unfamiliar vendors before offering up your personal info and credit card number.

Don’t shop from a free Wi-Fi connection. Protect your personal information when shopping online. The more private your Wi-Fi connection, the more secure your shopping transaction. Avoid coffee shops, airports, libraries, and anywhere that offers free (and vulnerable) connectivity without a password for online shopping. The same goes for online banking.

Pay securely No matter where you’re shopping, always use a secure form of payment. This means opt for a credit card or PayPal over any direct money transfers.

It’s also a good idea to use two-factor authentication on your online shopping accounts wherever possible. It’s not every retailer that has these, but it’s worth noting that Amazon does. Two-step authentication simply adds another layer of security to your account, requiring you to enter a security code sent via text or call as well as your password when you’re signing in.

Don’t click on strange links – It doesn’t matter whether you’re on your laptop or on your phone or whether the link appears in your email inbox, WhatsApp messages, or pops up on your Facebook News Feed, don’t click any strange or unfamiliar ad links.

It seems obvious but you don’t know where that link is going to go and what kind of malware is lying in wait there. There are few modern embarrassments quite like clicking one of those links that posts its deal from your account to every one of your Facebook friends or WhatsApp contacts.

Check returns policies – Although return periods are usually extended during the holiday season, some retailers might not take part in this and some could have shorter return windows specifically for electronics, so it’s worth being aware of how long you have to make up your mind. If you do decide to return something make sure you know exactly what you need for proof of purchase as well as how and where you need to return it.

Lastly- Keep track of your spending – Identity thieves bank on the fact that shoppers get caught in the holiday frenzy and pay little mind to whom and for what they’ve paid. Record your purchase details (order confirmation numbers, date and time of purchase, etc.) and regularly eagle-eye your banking and credit card statements. Then, be on the lookout for purchases, especially small ones, you might not have made. Often, fraudsters won’t immediately go big in the hope of going undetected.

Lastly do not assume the price advertised is actually a bargain. DECO PROteste Portugal’s largest consumer organisation, has a very useful features including the “Compare Prices tool” which helps you understand whether discounts announced during times like Black Friday or Cyber ​​Monday are good purchasing opportunities. This research tool records the evolution of product prices in online stores, to advise whether or not to purchase them.

Take this advice and enjoy your Christmas shopping safely.

Safe Communities Portugal and Amigos do Museu do Traje in Sāo Brás de Alportel have joined forces in holding a “Safe Christmas and Festive Period Seminar”. This will take place at Museu do Traje in Sāo Brás de Alportel on Friday 17th November from 1700 hrs to 1900 hrs, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The aim of the gathering is to learn more about the operations of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and the Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR) (National Road Safety Authority) over the Christmas and New Year festive period, in terms of their priorities and tips we can learn from them in order to have a safe festive period. Information will also be provided by Camara do Municipal de Sāo Brás de Alportel.

The focus will be on: Security of property over Christmas period especially if property will be empty, safe driving, Police enforcement and processes, reporting suspicious activities and crime, on-line scams especially shopping scams and safety tips.

Apart from the presenters we are honoured that Coronel Carlos Almeida Comandante do Comando Territorial de Faro da GNR, as well as Senhor Presidente da ANSR, Professor Doutor Rui Ribeiro will be present, so this will be a good opportunity to meet them personally.

There will be plenty of time for engagement with the presenters, as one of the aims is to discuss and answer your questions, on topics of interest to you. As we know during this period, people maybe away on holiday leaving their property unoccupied, pre-Christmas shopping on-line with the potential for scams, as well as a seasonable increase in road accidents and issues such as drink driving.

The location is: R. Dr. José Dias Sancho 61, 8150-141 São Brás de Alportel and there is adequate parking nearby.

Reducing the risks with high wind gusts today

With IPMA and other forecasters predicting maximum wind gusts of 75 km/h to 100 km/h, together with very high coastal waves (with red warnings in some places), we offer the following reminders to reduce the risk of damage and becoming a casualty:

SEA FRONTS – Stay away from sea fronts to avoid being swept away, or hit by debris carried by the coastal winds. Avoid cliff edges.

ON THE ROADS: Take care if driving high sided vehicles and overtaking such vehicles especially in cross wind situations – bridges can be affected by crossed winds.  25 de Abril Bridge Lisbon has speed limitations in place due to wind

Take particular care in towing caravans – maybe better to wait until winds subside

Leave extra space when overtaking vehicles, especially cyclists.

Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.

CYCLISTS – Avoid areas which have a high exposure to strong wind gusts.

TREES – Avoid parking your vehicle if possible under trees which appear in poor condition. Soil may have been saturated by recent rains

AROUND THE HOUSE – Move or secure terrace furniture and outdoor items that could be damaged by the winds

PEDESTRIANS – Be particular alert for items that may have become dislodged in the winds and flying debris

SELFIES: Do not place yourself at risk taking selfies of weather conditions – many people have been injured or worse in these situations

Maps: IPMA Sustained wind speed for today – the highest we have seen this year