From crime, there are still too fatalistic

"Too many people do not take all reasonable steps to protect themselves against crime. There are still too fatalistic. "Pierre-Olivier Gaudard directs the Crime Prevention Division at the cantonal police, on which the monitoring networks established in partnership with the people.The goal is that every citizen should learn to detect risky situations and adopt some basic reflexes giving it better security. The concept is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Vaud Canton is still the only one to have established this collaboration system imported from England for burglary prevention. But interest continues to grow elsewhere, particularly in Geneva and Swiss German.Collaborative successPercent Vaud communes have now joined the organization. They indicate to the visitor by panels very explicit. Associated with the word "population", the term "police", understandable in all languages, clearly announces the color.

It took nearly twenty years proves that the only blunder of the formula, purely semantic. The original name of "buddy" in fact contained some ambiguity - it could suggest that spies on his neighbor. It has just been abandoned, to retain only "Police-population" (Popul).

"We want to leave the strict confines of burglaries, the police said. It is inviting people to reflect on a more holistic view of crime. "For example, members of networks set up in collaboration with local authorities are regularly informed of the arrival of a new internet scam .Even in Lausanne?"Police-population" is a concept of proximity that seems destined to local small and medium importance. It resembles, however, more densely populated areas and cities. The issue has even been put on the carpet to the Municipal Council of Lausanne.

Nothing prohibits the establishment of such networks, provided they are granted in the means.What benefit in twenty years of existence? "The practical effects are of course difficult to measure. How do you know if a home has not been broken because he was being watched, or if it is because it happened between the drops ... "Pierre-Olivier Gaudard emphasizes that it is the very long-term results can occur. He believes that Popul brings a sense of community feel stronger. "If people learn to better protect themselves, while their region becomes less attractive to burglars, and they will soon realize it." All indications, however, that we are still far away.

"I am always amazed at how few doors of buildings are protected. Will see in Paris ... "In terms of basic reflexes, the concern I hear most often is the interpretation of self-defense. "This is a false debate, said the policeman. First, because self defense is a highly codified concept. Secondly, because many people have great difficulty if they were to fight with the burglars. "To those who do not want to remain completely passive when they hear something suspicious in their home, police said that he is often sufficient to activate lights or make noise to drive away the thief.