Civil patrols in marginalised Roma communities will continue over the next two years, as the Interior Ministry has allocated €22.3 million, including a 5-percent contribution by local authorities and co-funding from EU funds, for the purpose, TASR reports. There are 144 such projects in place at the moment, involving 700 members of civil patrols, who themselves come from Roma communities. MOPS are designed to protect youth from negative effects in marginalised communities, to safeguard public order, people's property and the environment, and to prevent ethnic conflict. They will also assist the police to tackle conflicts and help the emergency services.
Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: TASR
