4.3 Mission in Kosovo
violence, as well as the functionality of local safety forums and
known obstacles, with particular emphasis on co-operation
and co-ordination in four northern municipalities. Moreover,
taking into consideration the political challenges and objective
deficiencies in both intra- and inter-regional co-operation,
the community safety activists advocated for more support
on implementing local safety initiatives in specific hotspots,
more diligent engagement of all actors in securing progressive
development of local safety forums, and more financial help
to address key security concerns.
On 17 December, the Mission supported the MoI and KP
in organizing the first Community Safety Forums Council
meeting to discuss the operational capacities, challenges and
recommendations for strengthening the role of community
safety forums, namely the MCSCs, LPSCs and Community
Safety Action Teams (CSAT). Around 140 participants
attended the meeting, which among others included the
ambassadors of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the
Norwegian Embassy, Minister of Internal Affairs, Deputy
Minister of Local Government Administration, senior
police officers, and representatives of the Association of
Kosovo Municipalities, ICITAP, UNDP, MCSCs, LPSCs and
CSATs. During the event, the importance of establishing
more and functionalizing existing community safety
forums was highlighted, as well as the implementation of
community safety and community policing strategies along
with the applicable legislation, with a view to enhance the
security and improve the quality of life. All participants also
promoted support of all relevant and responsible authorities
for these forums both at local and central level, participation
of women and youth in the problem-solving process,
increased communication and co-ordination between safety
forums, and further trust-building between the public and
police. Furthermore, the event addressed the need to employ
a proactive public-based approach in preventing crime and
negative phenomena, especially violent extremism and
radicalization, THB, drug abuse and domestic violence. In
addition, a summary report containing conclusions and
recommendations from the assessment of operational
capacities of community safety forums, facilitated in eight
regions by the Mission, was presented during the event.
Local Public Safety Committees (LPSC)
On 26 January, the DHRC of the Mission facilitated an activity
aimed at raising awareness of the role of the LPSC for enhanced
co-operation between police and local residents. The purpose
of the activity was to help revitalize the LPSC and help make it
more responsive to community needs. The event gathered 32
participants, including Kosovo Roma and Kosovo Albanians
residing in the Abdullah Presheva neighbourhood in Gjilan/
Gnjilane, KP representatives, the MCSC co-ordinator and
municipal officials. The discussion addressed the purpose
64
of the LPSC, how it functions, its activities, challenges,
accomplishments, and enhancing co-operation with other
institutions. The event was marked by fruitful discussions on
security concerns in the neighbourhood and possibilities for
residents to address requests through institutions, including
the LPSC. Finally, information was distributed to residents
informing them of eligibility criteria for applying for posts
with the KP.
From 10 to 12 April and 24 to 26 April, the Mission organized
a community policing training for 29 members of four new
LPSCs, delivered by Mission-trained LPSC trainers and KP
officers in Prishtinë/Priština. During the training, which
consisted of partnership-building and problem-solving
modules, the members of new LPSCs were introduced to three
important challenges affecting community safety and security:
VERLT, THB and domestic violence. In addition, they were
familiarized with the key components of small-scale projects
and were taught how to write project proposals to address the
needs, issues and concerns of their communities in the future.
Prior to the training, the Mission also conducted orientation
sessions and facilitated meetings of the new LPSC members
with their respective communities in their municipalities.
During these events, participants were acquainted with the
capacity-building programme for LPSCs, community safety
and community policing concepts, and with composition,
functionality and activities of LPSCs throughout Kosovo that
work to address issues of safety, security and quality of life at
their localities.
In an effort to revitalize several LPSCs that were not fully
operative, the Mission supported the KP Directorate for
Community Police and Crime Prevention from 20 June to
27 September in organizing ten one-day training workshops
on partnership and problem solving for new members of
the existing LPSCs. The workshops aimed at strengthening
the LPSCs’ operational capacity to ensure sustainability in
community safety throughout Kosovo, as well as to enhance
their co-operation with relevant local and municipal
stakeholders. LPSC chairpersons played a crucial role
in supporting the implementation of workshops in their
respective communities, at which around 250 participants,
including youth, community members and village leaders
were trained. During the training, Mission experts facilitated
discussions on specific safety-related issues jointly with LPSC
members and community police officers, highlighting the
priority areas such as traffic safety, domestic violence and
other negative phenomena, with a view to improving the
wellbeing at their localities.
From 5 to 7 October, the Mission supported the LPSCs
of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South and Rahovec/Orahovac in
organizing a three-day multi-ethnic “Youth camp for a better
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