Archives: Situation Reports

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 8^th May 2024

Good morning. The dismissal chief superintendent José Barros Correia as National Director of the PSP is being received with great surprise and concern by police unions. Appointed less than a year ago, Barros Correia’s dismissal took the various PSP union structures by surprise. Seen as “close to the police”, “fair” and “truly concerned” about his men, having even supported the fight for the mission supplement, the chief superintendent has already explained, in an internal letter, that his departure is due to the “exclusive initiative” by the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco.

José Barros Correia will be replaced by Superintendent Luís Carrilho, commander of the Special Police Unit since October 2023. The Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) states that “this appointment decision comes within the scope of the operational restructuring of the PSP, whether in terms of nationally, as well as in terms of institutional and international representation of this public security force”.

José Barros Correia, appointed by the previous socialist Government in September 2023 to the position of National Director of the Public Security Police, made the position available after the change of Government and ended up being dismissed this Monday. Minister Margarida Blasco’s decision surprised everyone including the PSP unions the feeling being one of incomprehension. Interesting although there appears to be no questions concerning Luís Carrilho’s suitability, it is interesting to note that he is a superintendent in rank, junior to several chief superintendents serving in the PSP. We look forward to and further explanation of the national director only in the post 8 months.

The decision to defer the deadline for land cleaning has been generally welcomed. The decision is related to the rainfall recorded in recent months and the high water content in the soil, which affected many of the fuel management operations and encouraged the rapid growth of vegetation in the areas already cleaned.

Also according to the Government, weather forecasts indicate that, in May, appropriate conditions will be maintained for the safe carrying out of fuel management activities and that, therefore, this additional period will allow operations to be carried out in all necessary locations.

Vegetation management within the scope of the secondary network of fuel management bands constitutes one of the pillars of the integrated rural fire management policy, especially in the area of ​​protection against rural fires – ensuring greater effectiveness in defending people, animals and property against the spread of fires –, as well as in terms of rural fire management”, allowing the mitigation of the annual number of occurrences.

Care will however need to be taken concerning the burning of cut and piled waste, as the fire risk is becoming higher and conditions may therefore not be suitable for such burns. We advise those who are undertaking land cleaning involving the burning of waste to do this sooner rather than later, having obtained the necessary authorisation/registration and following safety advice. More on this subject can be found here. https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/fire-prevention-and-protection/land-cleaning-protection/

Our team wish you a good and safe week ahead. 

News

Inspectorate received 1,436 complaints against police actions and PSP is most targeted

Lisbon, May 7, 2024 (Lusa) – The General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) received 1,436 complaints against the actions of security forces last year, the same number as in 2022, with the PSP being the police most targeted.

Data from the body that oversees police activity, to which the Lusa agency had access, show that between 2017 and 2022 the number of complaints increased, having doubled in six years from 772 to 1,436, however last year the complaints were the same as those in 2022.

According to IGAI, the PSP is the security force with the highest number of complaints, having received 616 reports against the actions of Public Security Police agents in 2023, followed by the Republican National Guard, with 412, and the former Foreigners and Borders Service, with 163.

Most of the complaints that reached the IGAI in 2023 were complaints filed by citizens, totalling 753, with 263 reports from judicial entities, 192 from the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services and 11 from private and public entities.

According to IGAI, almost half (43%) of the complaints against the performance of security forces were related to the violation of duties of conduct (incorrect procedures or behaviour), with a total of 608 complaints filed, of which 276 were directed to elements from the PSP, 175 to GNR military personnel and 140 to inspectors from the former SEF, which was abolished on October 29, 2023.

Offenses to physical integrity (assault) were the second most common type of complaint filed in 2023, corresponding to 24.3% of the total number of reports against the actions of the police (349), followed by matters of an internal or professional nature, 72 complaints.

IGAI also received 23 complaints last year related to discriminatory practices, eight of which against PSP agents, nine more than in 2022.

The body led by judge Anabela Cabral Ferreira highlights that there was no record last year of “illegal arrests” and only one situation of “death” at the hands of the police.

The IGAI, supervised by the Ministry of Internal Administration, also indicates that in 2023, 1,436 administrative processes were initiated (total complaints), which, together with those carried over from the previous year, 1,855 processes were processed and 1,547 were concluded and four were converted into processes of a disciplinary.

IGAI’s mission is to carry out audits, inspections and supervision of all entities, services and bodies supervised by MAI.

AIMA target of complaints (also) from immigrants

The body that replaced the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) continues to be the target of many complaints from immigrants. The Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration is unable

Complaints from immigrants continue about the work of the Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration (AIMA). The queues at citizen stores bring together dozens of people even before the doors open.

Maansoor is an immigrant who has been queuing at the Saldanha store in Lisbon since midnight to try to renew his driving license, which is mandatory for his job as a driver, but has not yet received any answers.

“They always say to wait, wait and now I have no work because I don’t have a card. I came here at midnight” and “no one says anything, no one helps, it’s very complicated.”

Immigrants waiting in line explain that they are unable to resolve anything online due to a lack of documents, such as their Citizen Card.

“I can’t renew online because the system doesn’t allow access with the residence permit, passport or other documentation, in the case of immigrants”, says Miguel.

Despite immigrants trying their luck, they have not been successful so far.

“AIMA tells us to make the appointment via IRN , IRN sends us to AIMA and no one knows what it does (…) I have a document expiring on the eighth day and I can’t renew it”, says Renato Santos, another immigrant.

The Agency for Migration and Asylum Integration emerged after the extinction of the SEF, in October last year.

Immigrants have protested the delays in issuing residence cards or validating driving licenses, documents that, if missing, can lead to dismissal.

“There are many people waiting, we understand that, but as the number of people increases, the number of people to be served should also increase because we have been contributing to the country since we arrived here”, says an immigrant.

The Government has not yet specified what it will do with AIMA, but in the past, the PSD voted against the creation of the agency and SIC knows that a possible replacement is on the table.

Firefighters present a package of demands to the Government for the sector

Lisbon, May 6, 2024 (Lusa) – The League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP) today presented to the Government a list of demands, which includes support for training, creation of its own statute, qualification of the volunteer firefighter’s career or fiscal support for companies that help corporations.

Speaking to Lusa after a meeting at the Ministry of Internal Administration, the president of the LBP expressed satisfaction with the MIA’son, and a series of technical meetings are now planned to discuss the demands list point by point.

“The meeting at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with the minister and the secretaries of State, was the opportunity that the firefighters had to present a set of concerns that have to do with the financial insufficiency of our humanitarian associations, with the issue of career for our firefighters, with employment contracts, with the issue of the social status of the firefighter and the association leader and also the lack of a national fire command”, explained the LBP leader.

As for the device to combat rural fires, this topic will be discussed with the Secretary of State for Civil Protection, stated António Nunes.

“Some of the proposals we have budgetary implications and will naturally be subject to greater scrutiny when holding preparatory meetings for the State budget for next year”, explained the director.

Only in this context “will we be able to see funds allocated” or even “changes with regard to the IRS, IRC or TSU that have to do with support for companies and firefighters”

These issues “cannot be resolved immediately”, admitted António Nunes, stating that “the League has always been at the forefront of defending firefighters because it is not just an employer organization” and “represents associations and fire departments”.

The person in charge maintained that, in volunteer fire departments, the first person responsible for the firefighters is the commander.

“We can only have active fire departments with the operational capacity to be involved in the defence of their populations” if “they have the necessary and sufficient means for their mission”, which also includes the financing of salaries, with “a status dignity and a career,” he said.

The global strategic motion of the current LBP management is the “defence of a salary scale for a remunerative career for firefighters”, recalled António Nunes, highlighting that this is a promise from the Government that dates back to 2007.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 1^st May 2024

Good morning everyone. We start the day with some good news, that the 75 year old Dutch national who suffers from dementia has been found alive have gone missing in Albufeira on Monday. What is also good is the way that his family based in the Netherlands managed to mobilize support through Facebook with several thousand messages of support and volunteering to take part in efforts to try and locate him. This shows social media at its best – a story with a happy ending. We were in contact with the family providing advice as necessary.

Another item of good news is the excellent response to our Natural Hazard Prepared Survey, with the numbers of those of you who completed and submitted on-line questionnaires exceeding expectations. We are about to close the fact finding phase, so if you have yet to complete the survey please do so now. As we said we will analyse the results which will be published with a copy sent to the ANEPC.

As a resident of Portugal, we are exposed to the risk not only of wildfires, but also earthquakes, extreme temperatures, cyclones, tsunamis and other natural hazards. These can have disastrous effects, causing massive losses and damage. We are working together to minimize the impacts of these risks, and help build more resilient societies, so it is important that the local population is aware and involved in disaster risk management. The link to undertake this short survey is here.

https://forms.gle/aaZQCCkL9Xf53Dgo9

A reminder that land cleaning deadline was yesterday 30^th April despite demands by the National Federation of Forest Owners Associations (FNAPF) to postpone this to the end of May or end of June, as the current deadline “is not feasible” due to weather conditions.”  Although the deadline is now finished all efforts to clean land by those in rural areas (especially high risk areas) should continue. On the 1st of May the GNR start the monitoring phase, so don’t risk having to pay a fines! It is better to have made start rather than not starting at all.

Yesterday the president of the European Blue Flag Association supported the extension of the official bathing surveillance period, considering that ideally it should cover all weekends with good weather, in order to reduce the number of accidents. He said: “Ideally, if we had every weekend [with good weather], at least the bathing areas were monitored, we would certainly drastically reduce the number of accidents”, said José Archer, on the side lines of the presentation of beaches, marinas and boats with Blue Flag this year, a ceremony that took place in Oeiras, in the district of Lisbon.

The problem is the “difficulty with labour”, referring to the lack of lifeguards. In some regions of the country, it is very difficult, even during the bathing season, to have a supply of lifeguards qualified for this position”. The official also recalled that beaches with a blue flag “must have surveillance” and that the criteria nowadays “are very strict”, which allows in terms of results “to have practically zero fatal accidents throughout the bathing season”

Portugal prides itself in the number of beaches with Blue Flags but this cannot be at the cost of beach safety due to lack of lifeguards. The same argument is raised each year namely the lack of qualified lifeguards but there does not appear to be any improvement in the situation.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wish you a happy week ahead

News

Civil Protection owes firefighters more than half a million euros according to LBP

Lisbon, April 29, 2024 (Lusa) – The League of Portuguese Firefighters (LBP) warned today that Civil Protection owes more than half a million euros to fire brigades, a debt relating to the forest firefighting device that has been in existence for several years.

The president of the LBP, António Nunes, told Lusa that the League questioned the humanitarian associations of volunteer firefighters about the amount owed to the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) under the Special Device for Combating Rural Fires (DECIR).

“At this point it is already 620 thousand euros”, said António Nunes, stressing that the debt is capable of “reaching one million euros”, since all fire brigades have not yet responded.

According to LBP, these debts under DECIR are mainly from 2022 and 2023, but there are also some that date back to 2019.

António Nunes explained that “these are extraordinary expenses that must be paid and that have to do with the expenses presented by the fire departments and that ANEPC did not pay”, being essentially related to damaged materials and vehicle repairs.

“The debts are very varied, but they are not current expenses”, he stated, stressing that the LBP is now alerting to this situation, as there are 15 days left until the first reinforcement of firefighting resources within the scope of DECIR.

“I think it is very bad that someone starts another fire season asking for additional effort from associations, fire departments and firefighters, without paying off expenses from previous years”, he highlighted.

The president of LBP also said he hopes that the new Government will provide more precise guidance to ANEPC “to fulfill its commitments”.

Work of the Leiria Region Sub-Regional Fire Management Commission was suspended

Leiria, April 30, 2024 (Lusa) – The work of the Sub-regional Commission for Integrated Rural Fire Management in the Leiria Region was suspended at the initiative of the intermunicipal community, which demands clarification of the funds to reinforce forest management actions in this territory.

“The work of the Sub-regional Committee for Rural Fire Management in the Leiria Region was suspended, by majority decision of its members and on the initiative of the 10 municipalities of the Intermunicipal Community of the Leiria Region (CIMRL)”, announced this entity.

According to CIMRL, the decision is justified by “the need to clarify the financial means to reinforce integrated forest management actions in the Leiria Region and by the conformity of the Danger Charter with municipal plans and rural fire risk”.

This commission, chaired by CIMRL, was installed in February 2022 and is made up of around 30 public and private entities with competences in the integrated management of rural fires.

In a press release sent to the Lusa agency, the intermunicipal community said that “the proposal to suspend the work of the sub-regional commission at a technical level was approved with two votes against”, from the representatives of the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF) and the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, “entities responsible for coordinating and preparing the current Danger Charter (…) without any discussion with the territories”.

This decision by CIMRL “translates a position in defence of the forest and demands clarification on the sources of financing for a Sub-Regional Action Plan for the Leiria Region that imposes duties and obligations on municipalities”.

The technical level proposal coordinated by AGIF “points to the implementation of 51 strategic projects, representing a financing need of around 204 million euros by 2030, an amount that is unaffordable for the budgets of the municipalities in the Leiria Region”, maintained CIMRL.

In addition to suspending the commission’s work with immediate effect, it was also decided to request the revocation of the 2020-2030 Hazard Charter.

“Petty crimes” MAI agrees that Military Service can be an alternative.

The Minister of Internal Administration agreed today that military service could be an alternative for young people who commit “minor crimes”, as defended by the Minister of Defence.

In statements to journalists, at the end of the closing seminar of the Project “Improving prevention, assistance, protection and (re)integration systems for victims of sexual exploitation”, Margarida Blasco said that the Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo, “obviously that spoke on behalf of the entire Government”.

What we have to admit is that all solutions are the Government’s intention to implement them, adapting them to the current contexts which, as you know, are very demanding”, said the minister.

The minister’s statement comes after Nuno Melo proposed, at Universidade Europa, a PSD political training initiative, that military service could be an alternative for young people who commit petty crimes instead of being placed in institutions that, “in the main In most cases, they only function as a school of crime for life”, at the same time that he stated that there were no political conditions to re-impose compulsory military service.

Also present at the ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the president of the Bar Association said she was not analysing the matter, but made it clear that “compulsory military service makes no sense whatsoever”.

Even so, Fernanda de Almeida Pinheiro admitted that “it could be recommended (…) as a substitute penalty, instead of paying a pecuniary penalty, which if people do not always have, they choose to do public service”.

“And military service can be a public service that is provided, if necessary, when properly framed, because I don’t even know if we are properly qualified to receive this type of services”, defended the president.

Portugal Safety and Security report Wednesday 24^th April 2024

Good morning everyone. Firstly a reminder a reminder that Land cleaning (fuel management) applies to all those living in rural areas – in particular the 991 priority areas designated by the ICNF https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/2171-2024-853818225. The deadline for cleaning land is 30^th April, just 6 days away.

Fuel management is the reduction of vegetable and woody materials to make it difficult for fire to spread. In short, it means cutting weeds, shrubs and trees in some areas. When a fire reaches the areas where fuel management was performed, it decreases in intensity. Homes and villages will be safer. Firefighters can intervene more effectively and safely in areas where fuel management has been performed.

Land cleaning is mandatory and must be carried out within a range of 50 metres around buildings or facilities located in rural areas. This fuel break is measured from the exterior wall of a building or structure. In the case of population clusters (10 or more houses) the fuel break must be widened to 100 metres. If you fail to do this, from 1st May you can incur fines of up to €10,000 and businesses can incur fines of up to €120,000. You will be warned beforehand and a deadline to comply.

Overgrown neighbouring land within 50 metres of your building is one of the main concerns we receive. If you cannot contact the owner you should alert the competent authorities (GNR) to the situation or the city council. You can also call 808 200 520 to report the situation. Do this by 30th April and all reports will be followed up to check the risk and if it breaches the law action will be taken. Nothing can be done if you do not report this.

Car accidents in car park scams. The GNR yesterday highlighted these scams where the scammers falsely accuse another driver of causing damage to the vehicle during parking manoeuvres, often in supermarket car parks. They pressure and attempt to intimidate victims, demanding money to cover the alleged damages. When faced with the possibility of police intervention, they are quick to accept any monetary amount to end the situation. We know several people who have been approached in this way. It is important not to give in to pressure; do not make any payments to fraudsters and contact the authorities immediately via the emergency number 112. Write down all relevant details of the suspects’ vehicle, including registration number, model and colour, to help in the posterior investigation.

As you may be aware I was on KissFm radio last Sunday discussing the situation regarding deaths from drowning mainly in the sea but also rivers and reservoirs as well. Since then Sintra municipality, one of the most popular beach destinations, has announced that their beaches will feature the presence of lifeguards to ensure the surveillance and safety of bathers from April 25 to 28 and on weekends and May holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We applaud this measure. Very few beaches are using lifeguards at present, ahead of the main bathing season, which normal starts at the end of May or beginning of June. Given the high number of rescues we have seen during the Easter period this year this is not a moment too soon.

We wish you a safe and nice week ahead.

News

Government gives “priority” to promoting careers in the security forces

Portalegre, April 23, 2024 (Lusa) – The Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, guaranteed today that it is a “priority” for the Government to promote the dignification of careers and professional and remunerative development of security forces.

The minister, who was speaking in Portalegre at the Commitment of Honour ceremony of the 53rd GNR Guard Training Course, made up of 306 guards, highlighted that the Government “is well aware” of the needs and investments in that sector.

“The (Government) is well aware of the needs and investment in operational technical means, infrastructure and especially in human resources, which necessarily involves the dignification of their careers. As stated in the Government’s program, the dignification of careers and the professional and remunerative development of the men and women who serve in the security forces are a priority, stimulating and promoting adequate professional motivations from the base of the pyramid to the top.” , he said.

The Minister of Internal Affairs also stated that “it is the Government’s intention” to initiate a process to restore the attractiveness of security careers, namely through a remuneration review.

On Monday, Margarida Blasco announced that she will present on May 2nd a proposal to award a subsidy to members of the PSP and GNR, which she believes will satisfy the police.

“In this protocol that we negotiated today, the priority was the discussion of risk subsidy, which is a horizontal matter and which the unions consider to be a priority and which we, the Government, will take into account”, Margarida Blasco told journalists, at the end of the meetings with the GNR socio-professional associations and PSP unions.

The minister clarified that she does not yet know whether it will be a risk subsidy or a mission supplement, and a formula will then be found that applies to the PSP and GNR.

Margarida Blasco declined to say what amount and how the subsidy will be awarded, referring to the proposal that will be presented on May 2nd.

“We are doing very hard work to present this proposal to the unions with all the conditions and what we understand to be satisfaction for all police professionals”, he stated.

B-Rail Trains will be able to run from 2029

With the High Speed ​​Line, we will finally have competition to CP.

The line that currently connects Porto to Lisbon, the Northern line, is the main railway line in the country. Almost half of all passenger trains and more than 90% of freight trains operated daily in the country run, at least in part, on the Northern line. For this reason, and despite there being demand, it is not possible to increase the supply of rail service on the axis between Porto and Lisbon. Furthermore, after almost three decades of investment in the complete modernization of the Northern line, the best possible travel time is 2h49, which could be reduced to 2h35 when the ongoing works are completed. Therefore, with the capacity and speed increase potential of the Northern line practically exhausted, the most appropriate solution is to build a new line, with an entirely new route.

It was, therefore, inevitable to launch the High Speed ​​Line, whose tender for the first section was finally launched this month. This section will ensure the connection between Porto and Oiã, in the district of Aveiro, a route of 70 kilometers. The work is budgeted at 1,950 million euros and will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) regime.

The LAV construction between Lisbon and Porto is divided into three phases: a first between Porto and Soure (which is subdivided into the Porto-Oiã and Oiã-Soure sections); the second, which will connect Soure to Carregado; subsequently, the connection will be made between Carregado and Lisbon.

The section between Porto and Oiã is part of Phase 1 of the project, which also includes the section between Oiã and Soure, and has an investment of around 3,550 million Euros.

With Phase 1 completed, travel time should soon be reduced from the current 2h50 to less than 2 hours. After Phase 2, a non-stop train between Lisboa Oriente and Porto Campanhã is expected to make the journey in 1h19, while a service with 4 stops (Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro and Gaia) will make the journey in 1h45.

The new Porto – Lisbon line has a design speed of 300 km/h. This speed was selected from among several scenarios in order to allow a travel time that is clearly competitive with air transport and that also allows competitive connections with the highway between a wider range of cities, which includes Leiria, Coimbra and Aveiro, but also Braga, Guimarães, Évora, Faro, Figueira da Foz or Guarda, for example.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 17th April 2024

Good morning.  With the hot weather at present many people have headed to the beaches and unfortunately there have been a significant number of accidents in the sea. More precisely last weekend, from April 12th to 14th, the National Maritime Authority (AMN), recorded, over these three days, 249 rescues on beaches under AMN jurisdiction. In the first fortnight of April, FEPONS (Association of Life guards) has already recorded 17 deaths in the aquatic environment, which included deaths in rivers and reservoirs and inland rivers.

These are terrible statistics, at a time when very few beaches have lifeguards. There have been many warnings including through our Facebook, newsletter and our radio feature on KissFm as well by the authorities, yet people still ignore these and as a result tragic occur.

The bathing season each year is defined in an ordinance, published in the Diário da República, which identifies the bathing waters and the definition of the respective season, considering that, at national level, it runs from May 1st to October 30th. Between these dates, municipal councils determine when it starts and ends in their territory, some starting earlier and ending later however on four are currently doing so! With increasingly high temperatures well outside of these dates means that many people flock to beaches when there are no lifeguards.

The President of FEPONS stated that the first measure that must be taken is that the bathing season cannot be restricted to just the summer, it has to be much more dynamic, just like the fire season. It has to be all year round because we use the beaches all year round”. He added “We spent many thousands of euros on body search operations. In other words, in a reactive measure, when this money could obviously be spent on prevention and would be enough to monitor these spaces. Therefore, there needs to be more emphasis on water safety”. He also highlighted the importance of increasing “water safety education in Portuguese schools”.

These words make abundance common sense. With increasing air temperatures each year outside of the bathing season, there are more people visiting beaches, and there should be adequate safety measures in place whatever time of the year it is.

In the last 5 years there have been almost 40 drownings at swimming pools. A reminder therefore to never lose sight of the children who should always wear a lifejacket or armbands; to always be aware of all the children’s movements, whether in the water or “just” by the pool; never leave a child alone in the water; never leave toys in the pool, as this is a situation that catches the children’s attention and can prove to be a fatal distraction and if you have a pool at home, when the pool is not in use, cover it with a protective cover or protect it with another safety measure.

A reminder that the deadline for land cleaning for those living in rural areas is 30^th April 2024. Following that enforcement action through fines may be taken. Although the main focus by the authorities is those living in rural areas, this applies to all rural areas. If you have neighbours within 50 metres of your property (the house) and their land is overgrown, they have a responsibility to clean their land so in a fire, it poses no threat to your property. If they are absent or they refuse then the GNR should be informed as soon as possible as all complaints are acted upon. All information regarding land cleaning (fuel management) can be found here:  https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/find-information/fire-prevention-and-protection/land-cleaning-protection/

With the weather becoming warmer and the fire risk increasing we suggest that if you are intending to burn cut and piled waste to do so sooner rather than later to avoid a situation where you run out of time and risk prohibits such burns. When undertaking burns please ensure to register or obtain authorisation and follow the safety measures.

Our team wishes you a safe week ahead

News

Road Accidents decrease, but serious injuries and pedestrian casualties increase in March

Lisbon, April 16, 2024 (Lusa) – The PSP detected an average of 510 road traffic violations per day in March, a month in which the number of accidents and minor injuries decreased, but serious injuries and pedestrian casualties increased compared to March 2023.

The accident rate data is included in a PSP report, released today in a statement, which points to “a significant decrease in the number of accidents and minor injuries”.

According to the data, 4,568 accidents were recorded during this period, 88 fewer than in March last year, resulting in seven deaths (one less), 54 serious injuries (4 more) and 1,224 minor injuries (137 fewer).

Regarding the fatalities recorded, the PSP states that five resulted from being run over (two more than in March 2023), one from a collision accident, as in the same period last year, and one from a crash accident, three less.

During the month of March, the PSP carried out 2,266 road inspection actions across the country, inspecting 59,638 drivers and controlling 213,827 vehicles using radar.

In total, 15,811 administrative offenses were recorded, which is equivalent to an average of 510 infractions daily.

Of the registered infractions, the Public Security Police highlights 2,429 for speeding, which corresponds to 15.4% of the total registered infractions.

According to the data, 18,743 alcohol tests were carried out, resulting in 241 administrative offenses for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Of these infractions, 48 ​​concern drivers to whom the reduced alcohol rate applies (drivers with a driving license for less than three years or professional drivers), which corresponds to around 20% of the infractions recorded for driving under the influence of the alcohol.

1,615 infractions were also detected for lack of mandatory periodic inspection, 519 for lack of civil liability insurance, 424 for using a cell phone while driving, 178 for not using a seat belt and 41 for not using restraint systems ( car seats).

In the same period, 673 arrests were made for road crimes, namely 367 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 306 for driving without a legal license.

The PSP highlights that, “currently, the human factor of behaviour is recognized as the most relevant condition for the occurrence of the majority of road accidents, whether due to infraction and/or disregard for traffic rules and signs, or in the face of an unexpected event” .

“As urban scenarios are highly dynamic, with multiple road users in constant movement, driver behaviour is a fundamental factor in continuing this trend of reducing road accidents”, he maintains.

As such, the PSP states that “it has been especially concerned with road traffic violations and behaviours that cause distraction among drivers, as these factors increase accident rates with a direct impact on the feeling of (in) safety of drivers and other users of the main road axes”.

The PSP calls on drivers to drive safely, adapting their driving to weather conditions and the condition of the road, and not to drive at excessive speed or under the influence of alcohol, psychotropic substances, and not to use a cell phone. 

Apple Is Working on a New Feature for Apple Watch That Will Send Alerts if the User Is Drowning

Apple has filed a patent application for an Apple Watch feature that sends drowning alerts to nearby users.

Apple Watch in future could be equipped with capabilities to alert nearby users if a person wearing the device begins to drown in a water body. According to a new patent application, the Cupertino-based tech giant is working on a feature that will be able to sense when a user is showing “irregular behaviour” while swimming and is in distress underwater by using the sensors present on the smartwatch. Notably, a recent report has claimed that the Apple Watch Series 10 could feature an upgraded display that offers better battery life.

In a patent application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Apple shared details on how this feature would work and highlighted the need for such a feature. The tech giant said in its application that every year, 3,500 people drown and lose their lives just in the US. Calling it the “fifth most common cause of accidental deaths in the country”, Apple said there is a need for drowning prevention systems.

The company’s proposed feature does not introduce any new sensors to detect when a user is drowning, however. Instead, it relies on the existing sensors on the Apple Watch to interpret data whenever the user might be in distress underwater. As per the patent application, the primary trigger for this will be its inertial sensor which will determine if the head, arms, and torso of the swimmer is positioned in a way that suggests irregular behaviour.

This data will then be corroborated with the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor or the blood oxygen sensor that will determine if the user’s heart rate has suddenly elevated or the VO2 max levels have suddenly dropped, which could indicate that the user is about to drown. The data from the sensors will be run through a special machine learning algorithm to then predict if the user is really drowning.

in case a user is found to be at risk of drowning, the Apple Watch could send an alert to emergency service providers as well as nearby users and lifeguards. The company also highlighted that the system could also share similar alerts in case a child is swimming in a pool and accidentally goes to the deeper end. It is noted that the feature currently exists as a patent application. It is not certain whether Apple will get the patent for this technology, and when Apple Watch devices may carry the drowning alert feature.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 10^th April 2024

Good morning. Some fine weather ahead. Temperatures begin to rise this Wednesday “well above average for the time of year”, according to IPMA. From Thursday onwards, maximum temperatures ​​will vary between 25 and 28C, although possibly lower across the entire coastal strip and in the Algarve. In some places in the Douro Valley (innermost part) and Alto Alentejo, temperatures of 30 degrees are possible.

With the fine weather we ask people to take care when heading to beaches as there are no lifeguards in place at most beaches. A reminder to be on the lookout for rip currents and if caught in one do not try and swim against the current towards the shore, but instead swim parallel to the shore and when the current is no longer felt turn and head towards the shoreline.

Yesterday I made a visit to the GNR at their headquarters in Lisbon primarily to discuss the crime figures, which were published last week. It was confirmed that we will need to wait for the RASI Homeland Security Report, which contains more details. The GNR wanted emphasise was the cause of the crime increases. It appeared from our discussions that fraud was a main factor as well as opportunist crime, which we had already highlighted. Both of these crimes are preventable and the advice is for everyone to take more care of their belongings in public areas and ensure their property is secure when leaving home. As far as on-line fraud crime is concerned to take care that the sites visited are genuine.

Another factor highlighted was youth crime in particular those under 12 years of age, which is disturbing. Much of this it is believed from recent studies is attributable to stress resulting from the Covid pandemic period, with a consequential increase in violent behaviour. We will be examining this shortly, result from a study that has been undertaken in delinquency and violent behaviour.

Whilst in Lisbon I also visited the new British Ambassador Lisa Bandari and the new British Vice Consul Jocelyn McCall Ferreira. The meeting mainly focused on the work of the Safe Communities and its development since 2011. We also discussed climate change and the importance of awareness and preparedness for natural hazards in order to reduce the impact of disasters, the crime situation, the GNR Safe Residence Program and Safe Communities Emergency Medical card. Also discussed was the continuity of government programs affecting our work under the new government.

A reminder for those who have not yet undertaken our Preparedness for Natural Hazards Survey, to do so as soon as possible please. This will give more in depth information of the level of awareness of the foreign community on this subject and more important the level of awareness. The survey and explanatory note can be found here. https://forms.gle/aaZQCCkL9Xf53Dgo9

A reminder of our Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters Facebook group which now comprises some 3300 members. This group provides important information concerning the effects of climate change, extreme weather conditions and being prepared for disasters, such as rural fires, earthquakes as well as the drought situation. The aim is to develop knowledge on various topics including metrological conditions so people are forewarned well in advance, and can be more prepared thus reducing the impact of disasters. As we approach the main rural fire season preparedness is very important in order to reduce the risks to our properties, family and ourselves.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/safecommunitiesportugalprotectionnaturaldisasters

We wish you a safe week ahead.

News

European Union praises Portugal’s plan to prevent discrimination by security forces

In a European report on racism in the police, the agency recalled that the Portuguese plan includes measures that include “communication strategies to encourage greater diversity of recruits, both in terms of gender and racial or ethnic origin”

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights praised this Wednesday Portugal’s plan to prevent discrimination in security forces and services, promoting diversity in recruitment.

In a European report on racism in the police, the agency recalled that the Portuguese plan includes measures that include “communication strategies to encourage greater diversity of recruits, both in terms of gender and racial or ethnic origin”.

The “plan provides for the appointment of a person responsible for human rights” for the Judiciary Police, Public Security Police and National Republican Guard and “establishes and reinforces preventive intervention mechanisms in the event of discriminatory behaviour on the part of agents”.

“In 2022, the first annual monitoring report recommended that all police forces harmonize their internal rules on discrimination, adopt new measures to prevent discriminatory behaviour and promote training actions on the issue of discrimination”, highlights the agency.

In the report, the agency highlights that Portugal is one of the ten countries that have specific legislation on “the prohibition of racial or ethnic discrimination” and one of the four in which the “police law enshrines non-discrimination among the fundamental principles of their activities “.

The Plan to Prevent Manifestations of Discrimination in the Security Forces and Services has existed since 2020 and aims to combat racism and any type of discrimination in the police.

It was in this context that the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI) began training last year with commanders of GNR posts and PSP police stations on combating any type of discrimination in the police.

Coordinated by IGAI, the plan binds the GNR and PSP to reinforce areas of intervention from recruitment to training, the interaction of members of the security forces with other citizens and among themselves (including on social media), promoting the image of the police and communication, preventive and monitoring mechanisms for manifestations of discrimination.

Government program is approved today by the Council of Ministers and delivered to parliament

Lisbon, April 10, 2024 (Lusa) – The program of the XXIV Constitutional Government will be delivered to the Assembly of the Republic today at the end of the morning, after being approved by the Council of Ministers.

The document will be delivered to the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, at 11:45 and, half an hour later, the press conference of the Council of Ministers is scheduled, which will meet at 09:00 hrs, at the prime minister’s official residence, to approve the document.

This Council of Ministers had been announced on Saturday by the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, at an informal meeting that brought together the entire Government in Óbidos, and in which he told the media that work on the program was already “very advanced”.

“There is always articulation, coordination and writing work, but we will continue the work in the coming days. We will have a meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday at 9:00 am where we will approve the Government Program and send it to parliament “, he then said.

On that occasion, the Prime Minister also assured that “the campaign commitments must be fulfilled”.

On Tuesday afternoon, the president of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, had already informed that a symbolic moment of delivery of the Government’s program to parliament by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Pedro Duarte, was being agreed, which will take place at the end of the leaders conference.

Last week, at the end of the executive’s first Council of Ministers, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, refused to answer whether or not the Government’s program will have many differences in relation to the electoral program.

In the AD electoral program (pre-electoral coalition between PSD, CDS-PP and PPM for the March 10 elections), among other commitments, it is expected to present an Emergency Plan for the National Health Service (SNS) in the first 60 days of the executive and the full recovery of teachers’ frozen service time in a phased manner over the next five years (at a rate of 20% per year)

Reduction of IRS rates up to the 8th income bracket (between 0.5 and three percentage points), a maximum IRS of 15% for young people up to 35 years of age and the reduction of the IRC rate from the current 21% to 15 % in three years (at the rate of two percentage points per year) are other promises expressed in the AD electoral program, along with the increase in the National Minimum Wage to 1,000 euros by the end of the legislature, the evolution of the average salary to 1,750 euros and the increase from the reference value of the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) to 820 euros in 2028.

The Program of the XXIV Constitutional Government will be presented and discussed in the Assembly of the Republic between Thursday and Friday and, once the debate is concluded, the executive will take on full functions. The PCP announced a motion to reject the document, but the PS has already said it cannot be made viable.

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 3^rd April 2024

Good morning. We start this with the publication of the crime figures for 2023. According to statistics from the Directorate-General for Justice Policy, crimes recorded by the Portuguese police increased by around 8% last year compared to 2022 and reached the highest levels ​​in 10 years, totalling 371,995 incidents.  Although this will inevitably viewed with some concern, figures alone do not tell the whole story, and a deeper analysis will only be possible with the publication of the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI), which should be available in the next few days.

We congratulate the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) on its 17th anniversary (on Monday 1^stApril) and all the improvements that have been made over the last 17 years. Major challenges lay ahead resulting from climate change, but Portugal is well prepared as it has a structure in place that works, together with the commitment of all the agents and entities involved that comprise civil protection.

It is with some sadness that we bid farewell to Patricia Gaspar Secretary of State for Civil Protection, who has worked extremely hard in the post for over four years, and has been instrumental, working together closely with the President of the ANEPC General Duarte Costa, in bringing about many of the improvements we have seen over this period. For those who have not met her, she is perhaps one of the most inspirational leaders I have met. With the election of a new Government this has resulted in changes at Ministerial level and also Secretary of States. Patricia Gaspar has given much support to Safe Communities both in her current role and also whilst she was working in the ANEPC headquarters since we met in in 2016. An excellent leader, and with her vast experience in civil protection, including that as an operational commander, we await news of her future. A hard act to follow.

Turning to the weather the 15th storm of the 2023-2024 season has been named OLIVIA, which will directly affect the Azores today Wednesday, April 3^rd. Storm OLIVIA is expected to cause a significant increase in wind intensity, with gusts that could reach 110 km/h in the Western Group (Corvo and Flores) and 100 km/h in the Central Group (Pico, Faial, S. Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira). It is expected in the Azores, especially in the Western Islands, that rough seas waves that can reach up to 7m in height and up to 12m in maximum height. Indirectly it will affect Mainland Portugal, some wind, strong sea agitation and change of weather (again) at the weekend. Please monitor the situation through any warning issued by the IPMA and ANEPC, and keep well away from shore lines.

It was reported yesterday that it will cost 14 million euros to replace the sand that “disappeared from Quarteira beach following the storms that affected the Algarve last week”. While most people think of the beach as a place to relax, it has always served a more purposeful role: a buffer against storms. It’s a role that will become even more important as climate change continues to disrupt nature’s delicate balance, inciting sea level rise and stronger, more frequent storms on the coasts. We hope in this case in addition to replacing the sand some innovative solutions can be found to avoid such loses in the future given the more likely occurrence due to extreme weather conditions.

We know that at this time of year many of you are looking to spruce up your garden, greenhouse or window sill, and we are delighted to announce that you will have the opportunity during the forthcoming Plant Fair, which will take place at the Museu do Traje in São Bràs de Alportel, on the 6th of April, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are very grateful to Susan Finlay in inviting Safe Communities Portugal to the Fair. Our stand is in the indoor section and we will be available to answer any questions you may have on land cleaning (deadline 30^th April), and civil protection, crime prevention and Safe Residence Program matters. We look forward to seeing you at the fair.

Our team at Safe Communities Portugal wishes you a safe and happy week ahead.

News

Google will destroy data relating to millions of users obtained online

Google will destroy millions of users’ data it saved while they browsed online, under the terms of an agreement reached on Monday to end a legal conflict over the confidentiality of personal information.

The class action lawsuit filed in 2020 focuses on the ‘Incognito’ mode in Google’s Chrome browser, which gives users the impression that they are not being followed by the online search conglomerate – wrongly, according to the plaintiffs.

They accuse the worldwide number of those published online and having misled them due to the way Chrome guided people who used this private browsing option.

“The plaintiffs’ efforts allowed them to obtain key confessions from Google employees, including documents where ‘Incognito’ was described as “a lie in practice”, a “problem of professional ethics and elementary honesty” and “a bazaar ripe for confusion”, the lawyers reported in the agreement filed Monday before a San Francisco court.

Google has committed to “immediately” reformulating the information available about ‘Incognito’ mode, to “inform users that it collects private browsing data”.

And the company must block third-party cookies by default in ‘Incognito’ mode — those computer programs used in particular to track users online and target them in advertising. Google has already started the transition to end these highly criticized programs.

Gaia Heliport will have connection to emergency and intensive medicine in 20 seconds

The Gaia Espinho Local Health Unit heliport, which can operate at night, is being built on top of a five-story building, where the emergency department is located, as well as the intensive care and neurocritical care units.

The Gaia hospital helipad is being installed on top of a building with elevators that will allow the patient to be taken to the emergency room or intensive medicine in around 20 seconds, it was announced this Tuesday.

The project, budgeted at almost 1.5 million euros, received a favourable opinion from the National Civil Aviation Authority in July last year, a source from the Gaia Espinho Local Health Unit (ULSGE) revealed to Lusa.

“The helipad will be installed at the top of the building where the critical patient treatment area is located, which allows quick vertical access, via elevators: after landing, it will take no more than 20 seconds to reach the Emergency Room or Service of Intensive Medicine” , described the source about the work, which started at the end of March.

Currently, a patient who has to be helitransported to the Santos Silva Hospital, in Vila Nova de Gaia, arrives at the Serra do Pilar Barracks track, next to the Luís I bridge, and then has to face traffic constraints to reach the hospital unit in ambulance

The ULSGE heliport, which can operate at night, is being built on top of a five-story building, where the emergency department is located, as well as the intensive care and neurocritical care units.

The works are taking place on the roof “without causing constraints on the services” installed in the building that houses, for example, the maternity ward, guaranteed ULSGE.