PSP and GNR begin operations to combat crime and accidents during Christmas and New Year
The “Christmas and New Year 2024/2025” Operation will continue until January 2nd, covering the entire period in which greater movement of people and more road traffic is expected.
The National Republican Guard (GNR) and the Public Security Police (PSP) will begin this Wednesday to increase patrols during the Christmas and New Year period, with the aim of reducing general crime and road accidents.
In a statement, both security forces explain that the operations will continue until January 2, covering the entire period in which greater movement of people and more road traffic is expected.
GNR focuses on roads and party venues
The GNR states that Operation “Christmas and New Year 2024/2025” includes patrolling in places with the highest number of people, residential, entertainment, industrial and commercial areas, ensuring public safety and tranquility.
At the same time, inspection and road safety actions will be carried out during the Christmas and New Year periods, on roads with the highest traffic flow, to ensure that festivities and travel take place safely throughout the country, as Commissioner Armindo Teixeira explained to SIC.
In the first phase of prevention and awareness, before the festivities, the GNR advises people to inform the authorities in their area of residence when they are away from home, check that the home alarm is properly activated, never leave doors and windows open or any signs that indicate absence.
In a second phase, during the Christmas period (between 20 and 26 December), which corresponds to the period of greatest influx and concentration of citizens, road patrols will be directed towards prevention, inspection, advice and safety.
During the New Year period (between December 27 and January 2, 2025), patrolling in places of celebration and concentration of people will increase.
The PSP will focus on having greater visibility in areas with the highest levels of traffic, namely historic and commercial areas, airports and other public transport hubs, tourist areas and nightlife areas.
It is also worth remembering that the “Safe Showcase” operation will run until December 20th, precisely with the purpose of reinforcing visibility and proximity policing in commercial areas, especially in streets with “traditional commerce”, reinforcing the feeling of security of traders and buyers.
During the period in which the “Safe Festivities” operation is taking place, and since the Christmas season also means prolonged absences from homes, to celebrate this festive season in other locations, the PSP will provide surveillance to private residences, similar to what is done during the “Safe Summer” program.
Both the PSP and the GNR stress the need for families to avoid publicising these outings during periods of absence from their homes, particularly through social media, ensuring that they always leave doors and windows closed.
In the area of road safety, the PSP and GNR will be particularly attentive to drivers’ risky behaviour, namely speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous maneuvers, as well as improper use of mobile phones, driving correctly in the right-hand lane and failure to use seat belts and/or child seats.
In the week before Christmas, the PSP reminds that inspections will also focus on the control and security of air borders, as well as private security activities in large urban centers.
Authorities advise planning trips to avoid times of day when traffic is expected to be heaviest, taking a break every two hours, adjusting your speed to the weather conditions, the state of the road and the volume of road traffic, and driving attentively, cautiously and defensively.