In regard to his pledge to tame the lawlessness at some of the notorious tourist areas, as reported in last month’s page one story in The Khronicles, Brigadier Ioannis Mesodiakakis, director of the Iraklion Police Department, met with local officials to discuss measures to curtail any repeat of last year’s incidents which resulted in world-wide notoriety.

Also at the meeting were Iraklion Police Chief Nikolaos Tzirakis, Hersonissos Police Chief Manolis Petrakis and representatives of the business communities.

In particular, one of the main issues discussed was to re-enforce the Hersonissos police department with additional personnel so it can deal effectively with the problems of Malia and Hersonissos.  

In addition to the unruly youthful tourists, one of the biggest problems is the horrendous traffic congestion with the thousands of vehicles going through the two communities daily.

Other issues concerned the kamaking of customers, the noise pollution, including the anarchist driving of quads, particularly in the night hours, and the pub crawls organized by tour offices.

Brigadier Mesodiakakis committed to intensify check-ups working together with the prefecture’s health agency as well as with special police units. 

Malia Mayor Kostis Lagoudakis asked that business owners display self-control and correct professional behaviour, “particularly today when an economic and tourist crisis is hitting us hard.

“The tragic economic recession cannot constitute a serious argument for relaxing the mechanisms of preventing and controlling these unhealthy phenomena during our tourist season,” he said. “Consequently, we insist in asking that the Hersonissos police department be re-enforced. We also ask that our regions be supported either by the Hellenic Tourist Organization or by the Iraklion prefecture so that we achieve some normalcy by drastically restricting illicit behaviour.”

Regarding the quads, Mayor Lagoudakis said that Brigadier Mesodiakakis assured the officials the police will intensify its efforts so that all traffic regulations are strictly observed with regard to helmets, speed, driving license, and drunken driving.

“However, he added, “as long as the idea about “profiting from parasitic life and illegalities” exists, this harmful picture to our region will perpetuate.”

In regard to the meeting, Hersonissos Mayor Yiorgos Danelakis said that in the past few years “we have an exceptional working relationship with the Hersonissos Police Department, something that I believe has tangible results in the feeling of safety by our citizens and, of course, in the prevention of illegality.”

The mayor said local officials are continuously touching base with the businessmen in an attempt to halt problems before they start.

“For example, regarding the noise pollution from the bars, we have agreed with the owners to work behind closed doors from midnight and after, so that the sounds won't carry and the people won't be spilling out into the streets,” he stressed. “We are in absolute harmony with the common line of action, to which the Iraklion Police Director is referring and we hope that we will be able to be even more effective.”