Residents of Budapest’s inner districts say some streets have become places they avoid even during the day, while others feel unsafe after dark. Protesters are demanding hundreds of additional police officers, permanent patrols and tougher measures against drug dealing and public disorder at a demonstration in Józsefváros on Wednesday.

Residents concerned about rising theft, break-ins and open drug use are taking to the streets in central Budapest on Wednesday, 14 October. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 5 pm in Horváth Mihály Square, in the city’s eighth district, Józsefváros.

According to Hungarian news outlet Reakció, the organisers believe several public areas in Budapest’s inner districts have effectively become “no-go zones”, where drug dealing, drug consumption and harassment of passers-by are recurring problems.

They claim that many residents no longer feel safe walking alone after dark, while some avoid certain streets even during the day. The protesters argue that these concerns extend beyond Józsefváros and affect several inner districts of the Hungarian capital.

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Residents demand action over drugs and street crime

The demonstration brings together local residents, legal experts, community organisers and a district councillor, all of whom are expected to address different aspects of the problem.

Marcell Erős, an IT specialist and one of the petition’s authors, is due to speak about conditions in his own neighbourhood. According to the organisers, he regularly encounters reports of break-ins, drug use and drug dealing, as well as what he considers unsuccessful attempts to resolve the problems through discussions with the authorities.

Criminal lawyer, legal expert and university lecturer Dániel Tran will discuss the legal obstacles that can complicate prompt police intervention and the gathering of evidence. Bella Szűcs-Zágoni, founder of the Safe Újlipótváros Facebook group, will share experiences from community efforts to improve safety in Budapest’s 13th district.

Józsefváros councillor Aram Shakkour is also expected to speak about local public safety concerns, residents’ complaints and the social problems connected to policing and street disorder. The organisers say their aim is not simply to assign blame, but to develop solutions that could improve safety in central Budapest regardless of political affiliation.

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Petition calls for at least 500 additional police officers

The protesters intend to submit a petition to the Ministry of the Interior setting out a series of demands. One of their central requests is to increase staffing at police headquarters serving Budapest’s fifth to ninth districts by at least 500 officers. They are also calling for a general pay rise for law enforcement personnel.

The petition demands a permanent police presence at several locations that the organisers consider particularly problematic, including Blaha Lujza Square, Nyugati Square, Oktogon, Rákóczi Square and Pope John Paul II Square.

They also want foot patrols throughout the inner districts, including at night, and tougher police action against people who sell or use illegal drugs in central Budapest.

Another proposal is to prohibit the sale of glass pipes, which can be used to consume certain drugs, including synthetic substances commonly referred to as crystal. The full list of demands includes:

  • Higher pay for law enforcement personnel across the board.
  • Permanent police patrols at key locations in central Budapest, including Blaha Lujza Square, Nyugati Square, Oktogon, Rákóczi Square and Pope John Paul II Square.
  • More foot patrols, including overnight patrols, in the inner districts.
  • At least 500 additional police officers for the police headquarters serving districts V to IX.
  • Stronger enforcement against drug dealing and drug use in central Budapest.
  • A legal ban on the sale of glass pipes used to consume certain drugs.
  • Restoring municipal authority over tobacco shops.
  • Clarifying trespassing laws so that unauthorised entry into the communal areas of apartment buildings can be punished even if no material damage is caused.
  • Closer monitoring of the Bubi public bike-sharing system to prevent alleged use of the bicycles by drug-dealing groups.
  • Expanded powers for municipal law enforcement services.
  • A review of short-term rental regulations, including more effective financial accountability for landlords when short-term accommodation arrangements compromise the security of apartment buildings.

The proposals range from increased police resources and changes to criminal law to local government powers and the regulation of short-term accommodation.

Find the link to the Facebook event here.