Warsaw is spending thousands on protecting the area outside the Presidential Palace, since the cross commemorating the Smolensk victims has attracted thousands of protestors, tourists and two men arrested by police who have undergone psychological examinations.

“Salaries for city guards amount to over 173,000 zloty (44,000 euro) but the whole action of protecting the cross will cost much more,” says Monika Nizniak, spokesperson for the Warsaw City Guards.

On 3 August, the day when the cross was supposed to be moved to St. Anne’s Church, 161 city guards protected the area outside the Presidential Palace. Several days later, during a protest staged by opponents of the cross, 168 city guards were on duty.

Since 13 August city guards have been on patrol at the Presidential Palace non-stop. In total 309 city guards have so far been used.

“City guards have between 8-12 hour shifts at the cross, usually on their days off, working extra hours,” says Nizniak.

Around 90 public order incidents have been reported near the Presidential Palace. City guards detained three drunk people and five who drank alcohol in a public place, five other people were taken to a sobering-up station. Other cases include defamation of the plaque commemorating the Smolensk victims by a 71-year-old man who threw excrement at it, a fight and indecent behaviour and a threat with the use of hand-grenade.

Apart from city guards over 60 police officers guard the Presidential Palace day and night.

“The policemen who protect the Palace could be on duty in other, more dangerous places of town instead,” says Maciej Karczynski from Warsaw police HQ. Policemen themselves complain that they are overworked and were deprived of holiday in order to protect the cross. (mg/pg)

Source: PAP