Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas addresses security and policy concerns

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas addressed several municipal issues during a Lisbon Municipal Assembly meeting, expressing alarm over city security and criticizing recent government policies.

Regarding public safety, Moedas reported a rise in crime and a decrease in police presence, noting that while the city's population has grown by 109,000 since 2010, the Public Security Police (PSP) force has decreased by approximately 2,000 officers. In response to security concerns, the government has authorized the renewal of a 27-camera video surveillance system in the Bairro Alto district for three years. The city also plans to invest €12 million to install 500 additional cameras in areas including Parque das Nações and Avenida da Liberdade.

Moedas also criticized the decentralization of education to municipalities, calling it a ‘brutal error’ and arguing that the central government has failed to provide necessary resources for school maintenance. Additionally, he called for the immediate cancellation of the ‘Volta’ packaging deposit system, describing it as a ‘social drama’ and an ‘unprecedented tax’ that has negatively impacted urban hygiene by causing waste to be scattered in streets.

Finally, the Mayor addressed the controversial 50-year concession of the Quartel da Graça to a five-star hotel group, stating he disagrees with the decision but is legally bound by the previous administration's actions.