Gashi: Crime is increasing in the rest of Kosovo as majority of police forces are concentrated in the north

Security expert Bejtush Gashi stated that the crime rate was on the rise in the rest of Kosovo because the majority of police forces were concentrated in the four municipalities in the north, as reported by Koha.

Gashi emphasized that the engagement in the north had reduced the police presence in other parts of Kosovo.

"The public security sector is declining because the current concentration of police is in the four northern municipalities, neglecting the commitment to responsibilities this institution has in other parts of Kosovo. As a result, changes have been made toward reducing operational activity and the physical presence of police officers in the field and increasing the number of bureaucrats or officials sitting in chairs. Thirty-two directors have been added, a division of special units within the department has been established, all these changes, or the increase in the structure of officials remaining within the service, reduce the number of officers in the field," Gashi stated.

Gashi believes that the absence of police officers in problematic areas has contributed to the increase in the crime rate. Following recent events in Kosovo and homicides, Gashi believes that there should be a moral resignation.

"In normal conditions and in the rule of law states, the highest leadership of both institutions, either the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the police, would reflect on these matters. But in practice, no one resigns due to a lack of engagement," Gashi said.

Gashi mentioned the Police Inspectorate report, emphasizing that the police had responded slowly, and it was disturbing how much time it had taken for police officers to arrive at the Pristina café "Bon Vivant," where a murder had occurred a few nights ago.

"I received information that in some European countries, the response rate has dropped below 100 seconds, while the response time in Kosovo is around 14 minutes from the moment the police are informed. A considerable amount of time passed," Gashi said.

Gashi: It's a question whether Mehaj resigned for personal reasons

He also did not rule out the possibility that Armend Mehaj resigned from the position of Minister of Defense for reasons other than personal ones.

"I anticipated the resignation because several events this year directly affected the responsibility the minister holds. Absence from the Defender 2023 military exercise was one of the direct factors that may have influenced it," Gashi stated.

According to him, during the two and a half years that Mehaj led the Ministry of Defense, there were notable achievements, but personally, he had higher expectations.
"My expectations were higher due to the fact of where he was educated. I expected him to be more productive as a minister. This would mean being more transparent and flexible in fulfilling the legal and constitutional obligations he has," Gashi said.