Residents say security can be restored to the drug-hit area in Porto.

Residents of the drug-affected neighborhoods of Pastellaira and Pinheiro Torres in Porto said this Friday that they believe cooperation between the Interior Ministry (MOI) and various organizations will “restore and restore security” to the area.

“We left here today [Ministério da Administração Interna] not fully, because the decision will take time, but we believe that it can be faster,” said a representative of the residents, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons.

The neighborhood associations Bairro dos Músicos, Bairro Marechal Gomes da Costa and Bairro das Condominhas met this Friday with the Minister of the Interior, Isabel Oneto, to discuss the insecurity associated with drug consumption and trade near the neighborhoods of Pastelleira and Pinheiro Torres.

Speaking to Lusa, a spokesman said the meeting “went well” and that residents’ concerns were “heard.”

“MAI understands our concerns and is on our side in the sense that it helps to find effective solutions to the security problem,” he said, noting that the Public Security Police (PSP) is also “involved” with the residents. mission”.

“Together we can make a difference to restore and restore the safety, peace and health of our public space,” he assured.

The meeting discussed some of the measures that will be implemented in the future to try to alleviate the feeling of insecurity in this area, the resident explained, citing as an example “strengthening the PSP staff”, “increasing cooperation between the PSP and the Municipal Police of Porto” and holding “periodic meetings » between the PSP, Judicial Police, Municipal Police, MAI, Porto City Council and the Union of the parishes of Lordelo do Ouro and Massarelos.

“It is likely that a measure will be resumed that already existed before the pandemic but was interrupted, namely local security contracts, that is, a sharper approach in the place in question and with the participation of several subjects,” he said, adding that other ministries “ will be called upon to intervene”, namely the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Justice.

“Everyone has something to say and, of course, something to do, because this is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the PSP,” he noted, noting that drug use and drug trafficking is “in a broad sense, a complex problem” that covers “different actors “. .

“With all this pressure, I think the entities understand that, in addition to working together, we must work from now on so that no more time passes and there is no more damage from either side,” he said. , referring to residents, but also drug addicts.

To Luce, the representative said that the three associations, together with the association Jardim do Fluvial Sem Drogas (which was not at the meeting) will now meet with other ministries.

“The next step will be like this,” he assured.

On February 2, the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, urged Interior Minister José Luis Carneiro to take on the “skills” to deal with the problem of drug consumption and drug trafficking in the city and “not hide under the rug.” this business.

“It is easy for me if the Minister of the Interior has a magic wand to solve a problem, let him solve it, because this is his competence. We will do everything in our power,” Rui Moreira said after meeting with residents of the affected areas. drug use and trafficking on public roads.

After the meeting, the residents also called on the government to take action to stop drug use and trafficking in the area of ​​the city, which they claim has “become unsustainable”.