BUDIMIR: SECURITY IS GOOD, CRIME RATE DOWN BY 7.8 PERCENT

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 20 /SRNA/ - The Minister of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, Željko Budimir, assessed that the security situation in Republika Srpska is good, citing statistics showing that the crime rate has decreased by 7.8 percent and that there have been no alarming incidents.

“The members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs deserve credit because there has been no crisis, and political processes are being carried out without problems. We conducted 95 operational actions, including 14 regional operations in cooperation with other agencies. Our police force has received recognition from Interpol and Europol,” Budimir told reporters in Banja Luka after an extended meeting of the Minister of Internal Affairs' Advisory Board, which was also attended by President Milorad Dodik. He noted that certain actions were carried out in cooperation with local communities, including the monitoring of public areas, adding that video surveillance has been installed in 41 local communities, while arrangements are being made with the others. “We will develop a new communication system for the entire Ministry of Internal Affairs, making a technological leap,” Budimir emphasized. Speaking about migrants, he stated that 403 have been registered this year attempting to enter or pass through Republika Srpska. “Republika Srpska has been the least affected by the migrant crisis thanks to President Milorad Dodik and the Government, due to policies that did not allow the establishment of migrant centers,” Budimir emphasized. He noted that the high number of traffic accidents is worrying, with 96 fatalities recorded this year. “We must act both preventively and repressively. This concerns traffic control, driving culture, and the condition of the roads. We will need to implement a series of measures. The police have done everything within their power. We have determined that a large number of drivers involved in accidents were under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” Budimir said. He added that 61 cases of peer violence have been recorded in schools. “We have introduced a school police officer, and this measure has yielded positive results. Special attention is given to children of school age,” Budimir said. He added that the number of domestic violence cases has decreased, and new tools, such as e-services, have been introduced to reduce waiting times for citizens at service counters.