Illustrative stock photo (source: TASR)
The project of Roma civil patrols will continue as the Interior Ministrz allocated some €10 million for this purpose.
“The project of the patrols was so successful in the past that after its end many municipalities continued it and financed them from their own resources,” said Government’s Proxy for Roma Communities Ábel Ravasz, as quoted by the TASR newswire, adding that municipalities and people need it.
The towns and villages with marginalised Roma communities will be able to request money for patrols as of April. The government’s proxy office promises to simplify the administration connected to submitting an application.
The Roma civil patrols are to cooperate with local and also state police officers and act as mediators as Roma may consider the police a repressive element.
Though they should not replace police, they may help it in some cases, like solving difficult problems and conflict situations or communicating with Roma, TASR reported.
