Step by step to safe community

Ezerelis is a secluded little town, surrounded by peat fields and forests. The centre of the district and also police office and medical service are 27 km away from Ezerelis. In case of an accident first aid can come after 30 minutes which is an unacceptably long time.

In 2008 the community centre has made its first steps to self-protection and carried out a survey to determine if people feel safe in Ezerelis. 69 % of the 283 respondents replied negatively. They pointed various reasons that diminished their safety feelings: poor street lights, dangerous behaviour of drunk drivers on the road, bullying, bad behaviour of young people in public places. The results show that in most cases the community is responsible the for inappropriate behaviour of its members.

In 2009 - 2010 the community was supported by local businessmen, institutions and private persons and began to create a safe community: they installed a surveillance camera system, created and trained a self-defense group, organized first aid, self-defense and protection from fire courses for its members.

In 2011 attention was mainly paid to developing video camera surveillance system, improving street lights at unsafe places. Neighbourhood watch took place in the town.

In 2012 activities supported by the open Society Institute were implemented. Their goal is to encourage youth to actively participate in the creation of welfare of the town.

Contact:
www.ezerelyje.lt

The project started in 2008 and is still running.
Last review: January 2020.