Prosecutor's Office of Vitebsk Region Must Strengthen Work on Crime Prevention
Law enforcement agencies, local authorities, and the public must strengthen cooperation in preventing murders and grievous bodily harm. This was discussed in Vitebsk at a joint meeting of the presidium of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies and the coordination meeting on combating crime and corruption in the Vitebsk region.
Reporting on the implementation of legislation on the prevention of grave and especially grave crimes against the life and health of citizens by internal affairs bodies and other preventive entities, the first deputy prosecutor of the Vitebsk region, Alexander Sidorovich, noted that last year the region saw an increase in this type of crime.
\"Analysis of the causes and conditions contributing to crimes shows that many preventive entities are significantly underperforming. This is also evidenced by the results of prosecutorial inspections. We need to fundamentally change the situation, strengthen the counteraction to criminal encroachments against the life and health of citizens. The algorithm of actions is defined – a relevant law on the fundamentals of crime prevention has been adopted, subordinate normative acts and instructions are in effect. Everything is known, there is no novelty. It is only necessary for everyone to perform their duties qualitatively, without formalism, and to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement officers, local authorities, the public, and all other preventive entities,\" stated Alexander Sidorovich. He also emphasized that gaps in preventive work in family and domestic relations are obvious. \"If the law is violated against a spouse, children, parents, and other close relatives, it often leads to tragic consequences. There is a reason for this.many examples. We should identify these problems as early as possible and take measures to prevent tragedies," the prosecutor's representative noted. Many figures and facts were presented at the meeting. It was noted that in 2015, 60 murders with attempted murders were committed in the region, which is 17.6% (or 9 cases) more than in the previous year. The increase in these crimes occurred in Vitebsk and Novopolotsk, Braslavsky, Gluboksky, Miorsky, Chashniksky, Lepelsky, and Postavsky districts.
In addition, 15 cases of intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm resulting in the death of victims were registered. The largest number of these crimes was registered in Vitebsk, Orshansky, and Polotsky districts. In Braslavsky, Chashniksky, and Oktyabrsky districts, the number of robberies increased. The statistics for the first months of the current year are also not encouraging. In the region, 14 intentional murders and grievous bodily harm resulting in death have already been committed. "Analysis of criminal case materials indicates that the causes of these crimes are the antisocial behavior of certain citizens, unemployment and drunkenness, and unsettled family and domestic life. In particular, at the time of committing intentional murders, 72% of the perpetrators were intoxicated, and 59% were unemployed and not studying," stated Alexander Sidorovich.
He emphasized that clear interaction between law enforcement and local authorities, healthcare and educational institutions, and other interested departments has not been established in all regions of the oblast for the timely identification of problem citizens and for conducting effective preventive work with them. Often, such activities are carried out formally, and therefore do not have the proper positive impact on individuals prone to unlawful behavior, includingpreviously prosecuted.
Last year, citizens with a criminal record committed 20 murders (17 in 2014), as well as 41 intentional grievous bodily injuries (38 in 2014). According to Alexander Sidorovich, preventive work to ensure safe living conditions for the elderly and disabled, and to prevent criminal encroachments on their life and health needs improvement. Law enforcement agencies do not always take effective measures to promptly remove unregistered weapons from circulation among the population, which subsequently leads to their use in intentional murders (Miory and Tolochin districts). In some regions, "dens" are detected late, and facts of residence of persons without official registration are not suppressed (Postavy, Tolochin, Orsha, Pervomaisky districts, the city of Novopolotsk). The proper control over the work of public order protection councils is not established everywhere by local authorities.
"Overall, the developing situation in this area requires more effective use by all prevention subjects of legal, social, economic, and informational measures aimed at neutralizing the causes and conditions conducive to committing crimes, and active participation of deputies, public associations, and labor collectives in preventing offenses," summarized the first deputy prosecutor of the region.
Alena Tikhonova - BELTA.