An old dream has come true today. The new GNR stations in Almancil was inaugurated this Friday, February 14th, giving police officers the conditions "to affirm the Algarve as a safe destination". The opening ceremony was attended by Eduardo Cabrita, Minister of Internal Administration.
The new station is a result of cooperation between Loulé Council and the Government’s Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI). The municipality covered funded the construction initially, costing, 1.2 million, which was later reimbursed by the central state. “Partnership with local authorities is essential. Security is also a decisive element for the country's competitiveness: it is an issue that requires qualified and prepared professionals” stated the minister during his opening speech.
The new station is located next to the Municipal Stadium of Almancil, close to the intersection between Cristóvão Norte de Pires and Venezuela street. Since 1991 the GNR has operated out of a small private house, towards the centre of Almancil town, but with few resources available for officers to work with. Instead, the GNR headquarters opened today has a wide array of equipment and facilities which the previous location lacked, such as a gymnasium, changing rooms, victim care rooms, an operations room, and even dormitories for the accommodation of police personnel.
“This moment affirms a decisive way of valuing security as a central element of public policies. This position in Almancil is part of a line of appreciation, in which the Investment Programming Plan allowed us to transform a matter that was an old dream into a tangible reality”, explained Mr. Cabrita. Agreeing with the minister’s sentiment, the Vitor Aleixo, Mayor of Loulé, referred to this inauguration as "a great day for Almancil".
“This station was a real necessity, not a luxury. I am sure that it will make a difference in the tourist landscape of Almancil, affirming to our visitors the constant and reassuring presence of the police”, the mayor said.
Addressing the GNR guards, Mr. Aleixo expressed that with this new station he hopes that police personnel will "have all the working conditions to always do more and better".
Almancil will, in addition, receive five more new troops, making a total of 26. These officers work in a total area of 62.30 square kilometers, serving a permanent population of 10,677 inhabitants. Among its areas of jurisdiction, the barracks covers luxury tourist areas such as Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, for example.
The issue of security as an essential cohesive factor was the main focus throughout the entire inauguration ceremony. Mr. Cabrita reinforced the message, insisting that, without the police, "there is no certainty".
“It is what makes the difference for investors and tourists when they choose Portugal as their destination. Security is a fundamental factor of social cohesion and a guarantee of quality of life for the Algarve and those who visit the region,” he concluded.
