OSCE-supported Neighbourhood Watch holds discussions with Bishkek residents

A roundtable discussion on a project to promote public safety, co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the non-governmental organization Neighbourhood Watch, was held in Bishkek on 21 June 2011.

Participants, including local residents, met with representatives of law-enforcement structures, ministries, local authorities and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek to raise awareness of the project and help plan future activities.

The project to support Neighbourhood Watch started in Bishkek in 2007, and aims to promote public safety through improved co-operation between residents, local police and the authorities. The OSCE Centre is supporting the initiative as part of its Police Reform Programme.

At the meeting, the Neighbourhood Watch NGO also announced plans to further support the police by facilitating contacts with residents and helping to establish co-ordination mechanisms.