Greek Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis outlined a new traffic management operation for Attica and announced plans for permanent police structures to tackle what he described as an epidemic of phone scams during an interview with MEGA on Tuesday.
New operation targets Attica traffic
Chrisochoidis spoke about the launch of the “Kombos” traffic operation, a new initiative by the Traffic Police aimed at improving traffic flow on Attica’s main roads.
He said the traffic problems on Kifisos Avenue require long-term infrastructure projects, but argued that the new system could improve traffic flow by 25% to 30% during peak hours.
The operation combines police personnel, technology and a control center that receives and cross-checks live information from 24 different sources.
“The goal is to be able to reach a 25% to 30% gain in time,” Chrisochoidis said, explaining that the objective is to make traffic move more efficiently through the use of real-time information.
“The center receives data from 24 sources, the data is cross-checked and, accordingly, solutions are provided,” he said.
The “Kombos” system includes police officers and motorcycles operating in the field, coordinated through a centralized command-and-control center covering Attica.
Chrisochoidis emphasized that the system is not presented as a permanent solution to the congestion on Kifisos, saying that the major traffic problems there ultimately require long-term infrastructure work.
Police to establish permanent structures against phone scams
The minister also addressed the growing problem of phone fraud, describing it as an “epidemic” and announcing plans to establish permanent police structures dedicated to combating it.
According to Chrisochoidis , criminal groups have developed increasingly organized ways of illegally obtaining money, property and jewelry, often targeting older people.
“They have found an easier way to illegally obtain money, property and jewelry,” he said. “They deceive people, mainly elderly people.”
He said the police have already carried out major investigations and arrests, with many suspects now in prison, but new groups continue to emerge.
The minister said the networks are also becoming increasingly international.
“For example, there is a call center in Albania, there is a call center in North Macedonia,” he said, adding that specific transnational groups are involved in the schemes.
Chrisochoidis also referred to major arrests carried out by the Greek FBI and the Attica Security Directorate, but said a permanent structure and long-term operational policy are now needed.
“They will all be arrested,” he said. “It simply requires a permanent structure and a permanent operational policy to put an end to this.”
Chrysochoidis on Samaras and political developments
Asked about former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the possibility of a new political party associated with him, Chrisochoidis said the government would comment if such a party is formally established.
“When the Samaras party comes, we will talk,” he said. “When the party emerges, if there is a party, we will comment further on both the differences and the criticism.”
Turning to the Thessaloniki International Fair and the expected appearance of former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Chrisochoidis said Greece needs genuine economic growth and higher productivity rather than promises of spending that do not reflect the economy’s capabilities.
He said the creation of new political parties is part of the democratic process, but criticized what he described as the repetition of policies that had produced damaging results in the past.
Greece, he said, has one of the highest growth rates in Europe but needs further growth and must address its relatively low productivity.
“Instead of looking at these issues, we are dealing with how many billions we will give from what we do not have,” he said.
