At the 17th Regular Meeting of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Athens, Mayor Haris Doukas made a decisive and humane statement regarding the situation in the city center, where the presence of drug addicts is increasing. On the occasion of the shocking attack on a cleaning worker, the Mayor emphasized that “the health and safety of everyone – residents, workers and vulnerable groups – is non-negotiable.”
Recognizing the complexity of the problem, Haris Doukas pointed out the need for coordinated interventions, not only of a repressive but also social nature: “There are no magic solutions, only responsible and humane policies that will respect all those involved.”
The Mayor emphasized that the Municipality’s goal is the gradual decentralization of social structures from the already burdened center, in order to achieve a more equitable distribution of resources and support throughout Attica. At the same time, he announced new measures for the protection of workers , such as:
- Emergency button on all garbage trucks.
- Development and promotion of the SafeAthens application, for immediate notification in case of danger.
- Strengthening of mixed patrols of municipal and Greek police in dangerous areas.
Haris Doukas made it clear that the Municipality’s efforts are not limited to policing, but extend to the care and social integration of vulnerable groups, with respect for human dignity: “We will not let the center of Athens turn into a warehouse of souls with characteristics of ghettoization,” he stated characteristically.
At the same time, he did not hesitate to criticize those who, as he said, tolerated or even reinforced the current conditions in the past, calling for responsibility and a collective stance from all factions.
Finally, the Mayor called for an end to the targeting of workers, especially in the cleaning sector, and highlighted the importance of recognizing their work: “Safety is not just an obligation. It is the minimum recognition we owe to the people who keep our city standing.”
Haris Doukas’ position highlights a new orientation: an Athens that seeks solutions with social sensitivity , respect for diversity and strengthening social cohesion .
