Lahti is developing a safety plan to improve cooperation between the city, authorities, residents’ associations and others. The goal is a safer Lahti.
Drug trafficking is rampant on Lahti’s streets, motorists disrespect crossings, a gang of youths went on a rampage in a shopping centre. Recent news and debate in Lahti show that the city centre is becoming increasingly unsafe for residents.
But the situation is not as bad as it seems to many. Safety is a very personal experience, and everyone has their own views on it.
The City of Lahti will draw up a safety plan that will cover a multidisciplinary range of issues that affect the safety of residents, especially in the city centre. According to Tuomaisen, the plan will start by taking stock of the security situation.
– Investigation work is carried out between many different parties, such as the police, emergency services, residents’ associations and youth organizations, emphasizes Tuomainen
After that, we will think about how the city can improve the safety of the residents in cooperation with the authorities, whether it is about traffic safety or preventing street violence.
– The authorities have their own tasks. The city’s task is, for example, to create an environment that promotes safety. This can be achieved, for example, by considering traffic solutions and lighting, says Tuomainen.
A tool to improve safety
The security plan itself does not improve the sense of security of the citizens, but it is a tool that helps the city to develop cooperation and the urban environment in order to make it even safer.
Currently, those who rarely visit the center may be startled by the use of intoxicants visible on the street. In the discussions, it has been suggested that the city hire, for example, security guards to eradicate this kind of behavior.
The safety plan aims to ensure that when the environment is safe and different parties cooperate closely, the sense of security of the city residents increases.
The security of the center was the topic of Lahti City ry’s online meeting on Thursday.
The preparation of the safety plan started at the beginning of the year and it is expected to be completed by the summer.