About 9,000 vigilantes are helping police officers in the Vitebsk region maintain law and order

January 27, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. In the Vitebsk region, about 9,000 volunteer police assistants help law enforcement officers maintain public order. This was announced today at a press conference by the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Naydenko, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. According to the head of the Internal Affairs Directorate, the assistance of these detachments, including youth volunteer detachments and those formed at enterprises and organizations, is very valuable for police officers. For example, last year in the Vitebsk region, 24 crimes were solved with the help of volunteer police assistants. Significant work is also being done to improve the legal culture of the population and prevent domestic violence, Alexander Naydenko stated. The head of the department also noted the significant contribution of BRSM activists to the prevention of offenses among minors. "We regularly hold many joint events, the main goal of which is to channel the energy of teenagers into peaceful pursuits and help them find a worthy hobby," he emphasized, adding that the indicator of juvenile delinquency speaks to how well this goal has been achieved. In 2010, 587 offenses were committed in the region, which is 17.3% less compared to the 2009 level. Their share in the overall crime structure was 5%. The level of recidivism decreased by 12%. There were also fewer offenses committed by teenagers while intoxicated. -0-