Despite the government’s message that the days of austerity are over, Algarve MP, Cristovão Norte has pointed out that of the six vehicles allocated to the Territorial GNR in Loulé, only one is drivable.
According to the Social Democrat Party MP, five of the fleet of vehicles are in the garage being repaired as they kept breaking down due to “obsolescence and lack of investment.”
The Territorial Office of the GNR in Loulé, "covers a very extensive area of the municipality, perhaps one of the largest in the country,” states Norte.
"It is inconceivable that the GNR is functioning in these conditions, without being able to serve citizens and ensure their safety, lives and property."
Norte says it is, “important to sort his out, since when the effectiveness of the security forces weakens, this can result in ‘undesirable’ levels of crime."
The MP says that people are convinced that they are making big investments in the GNR, but when it comes to small, day-to-day things, they see this is not the case at all.
"There is not enough public investment to replace existing equipment i the Algarve so there are many safety issues, including in healthcare and on the railroad," warned Norte, noting that "there is a message that there is no austerity, however, there are imbalances in the vital functions of the state."
Cristovão Norte, now joined in his efforts by fellow MP, José Carlos Barros, says the Government really must supply the necessary vehicles the GNR to operate in the Algarve, "so its personnel can carry out their mission, promoting security and public order."
