Leskovac, Vranje – In relation to the period of four years ago, the number of inhabitants of the southern and southwestern Serbia who feel unsafe in the place where they live increased, while the number of citizens who feel completely safe decreased.

When asked why they feel unsafe, a large number of residents said that they felt so due to poor infrastructure, or the unlit streets and unsafe roads with holes in them.

However, according to a survey conducted by the Agency for Public Opinion Research CeSID and the European Progress development program, there were also those who said that stray dogs made them feel unsafe, as well as drug addiction and bad interpersonal relationships. 

The survey was conducted in 34 municipalities in the southern and southwestern Serbia, late last year.

In terms of percentages, a large number of people believe that local self- governments are not doing enough to encourage the development of private enterprise, particularly in the sphere of providing initial capital. As far as the economic areas that should be the basis for future economic development of the municipalities are concerned, almost 45 percent of the residents chose agriculture and support to farmers.  

Regarding the political situation, the citizens of the southern and southwestern municipalities of the country believe that the situation in their communities has not changed significantly compared to 2013, but speaking about the economic situation, they noticed an improvement.

Also, they similarly assessed the interest of municipal officials to provide better services, as well as the operation of municipal services as a whole, which retained the average rating that is below three out of five.

Although confidence in the Mayors was rated highly, the same cannot be said for the City Assemblies and for the City Councils.

When asked whether the municipal services operated better, the same or worse than three years ago, majority of the residents of the southern and southwestern Serbia said that they operated the same.

When asked how quickly one could have something done at the municipality, people usually answered that it took some time, that it could not all be done immediately, but that it was acceptable, while they said that the biggest obstacle to communication with the municipal administration officers was the documentation.

Source: Jugpress and Coordination Body