Paphos acting mayor proposes installation of surveillance cameras in public spaces

On August 23, 2026, the acting mayor of Paphos, Angelos Onisiforou, announced a strategic initiative to install surveillance cameras in city parks and public areas. This decision follows a series of repeated acts of vandalism that have damaged municipal property and raised significant safety concerns among residents. Onisiforou emphasized that the community should feel secure when utilizing public facilities.

To facilitate this project, Onisiforou has initiated communication with other mayors to organize a meeting scheduled for the coming week. The primary goal of this gathering is to coordinate a unified approach among local authorities. While the acting mayor insists that camera installation should proceed immediately wherever current legal frameworks allow, he also stated that authorities must advocate for legislative changes to overcome existing procedural obstacles. He argued that current laws should not serve as an excuse for inaction in the face of ongoing destruction of public property.

The proposed installation is intended to be a tool for protection rather than an end in itself. Local authorities intend to push for the necessary legal powers to ensure that municipal and public property is effectively safeguarded across the city, aiming to restore a sense of safety for families and citizens using public spaces.