Swieqi residents need protection from vandalism and councillors with ‘vested interests’ – AD

Alternattiva Demokratika's Arnold Cassola and Solange Sant' Fournier have expressed concern over "the problems the ever-increasing Swieqi community is facing due to the rise in petty crime", while also emphasising the need for "new blood within the council".

"Swieqi is no longer the small and young community it used to be 25-30 years ago. Today it boasts a population of around 9,000 residents, including senior citizens and permanent foreign residents," Cassola said.

"Since Swieqi is surrounded by Malta's vibrant nightlife hub, there's a spillover of punters who park in Swieqi, thus creating a problem for residents.

"Another problem is double parking in certain points, especially where there are outlets. This creates an inconvenience and a danger for other drivers. A case in point is Triq Is-Sidra: On exiting, one has to be extra careful to watch for any oncoming cars due to double-parking in the corner where a specific store stands.

Cassola added that action has never been taken since it is common knowledge that a council representative has vested interests.

"If there were 24-hour police surveillance in the area it would be easier for the police to take action immediately. And this can happen if a police station existed in Swieqi.

"The government should do its utmost to provide security and serenity to all villages and towns in Malta, but Swieqi is a good example of a town that is in dire need of such protection," Cassola insisted.

"Noise and vandalism is not just limited to the local patrons who visit Paceville, but spills over to Swieqi after partying all night long".

Echoing concerns voiced earlier by the Swieqi Residents' Action Group, Cassola pointed towards the rowdy behaviour of foreign students who live in Swieqi especially during the summer months due to the concentration of student housing that exists in the area. Groups of students have been seen jumping on cars, ringing doorbells, and damaging street furniture such as lighting, road signs and garbage bins, he said

"The proliferation of houses with multiple student occupants is affecting Swieqi badly. Unfortunately, some Maltese tend to imitate their foreign counterparts in their rowdy behaviour," Cassola added.

As of late, on entering their homes, some residents say that they are greeted by couples having it off in their front gardens.

Some residents have complained to MT that they also wake up to a mess, with shards of glass and empty bottles littering the streets.

Meanwhile, the traffic problem is one of the most frustrating issues the residents are currently facing.

Sant' Fournier stressed that the least residents expect is for cars to be parked in an orderly manner without obstructing residents' homes.

"Police should be there to ensure a proper flow of traffic, which ensures that pedestrians can walk freely without any obstacles in their way."

Meanwhile, when contacted by MaltaToday, Gordon Shepherd, a Swieqi council representative, and owner of the shop in question, to answer to the allegations that were being made by AD in his confrontation, said that the problem of parking outside his shop was being created by trucks unloading their merchandise and not by clients
visiting his shop.

"This is not the first time that this issue has come up and I had to repeat myself that I own a parking area that can take up to 200 cars and my clients actually park in the parking area.

"So I don't see why I am being attacked by AD on this issue. This is nothing but a dirty political game for AD to win votes."

Shepherd added that the police don't seem to fine truck owners unloading merchandise, but only bother to fine the odd person who stops by the convenience store without making use of the parking provided for the store's clients.

"ADT states that if there are more than five shops in the area, no more permits for loading/unloading bays will be issued but for the first five who apply.

"Therefore, I was one of the shop owners who was not granted a permit."

When asked if he will be contesting next month's local council elections, Shepherd said that he had no intention of doing so.

Meanwhile, attempts made by MaltaToday to reach Swieqi Mayor Carmen Said for a comment proved futile.