"We have a working group that is currently considering what else can be done to further protect people through changes to the law," said Božinović after the ceremonial academy on the occasion of Police Day.
Signal rockets banned for citizens
The minister pointed out that flares, the firing of which killed a 34-year-old woman during a wedding celebration in Šibenik last Saturday, and seriously injured a 30-year-old woman in Makarska on the same day, are prohibited for citizens and are expressly permitted by law for boat captains in the event of an accident at sea or any other emergency.
Asked whether Croatia should further amend and tighten the Law on Explosive Substances and the Production and Trade of Weapons, Božinović replied that "changing the law because of an irresponsible individual is not the path that should be taken."
Croatia ranks at the top in terms of fines for explosive substances
"We have criminally tightened that law. When you compare Croatia and other European Union member states, we are at the very top in terms of penalties, except for a few more liberal or stricter member states. At the European level, we have raised the issue of amending the directive that should address the widespread availability of pyrotechnics."
Speaking about the possible adoption of the German law according to which pyrotechnics in that country may be used exclusively for New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve, Božinović pointed out that Croatia has a model that involves the sale of these devices from December 15th, with them being able to be used in the period from December 27th to January 1st.
"Therefore, our model is on that track. We must resolve the issue of these pyrotechnics arriving on EU territory with other EU member states, since more than 90 percent comes from China, including delivery by mail."
Božinović: There is no juvenile gang in Retkovac anymore
Speaking about the cases from Makarska and Šibenik, Police Chief Nikola Milina added that in the latter case, in addition to the 52-year-old man suspected of firing a flare that killed a 34-year-old woman, a criminal report was also filed against the person who enabled the shooter to use pyrotechnics.
Asked whether off-duty police officers were among the guests at the wedding where the woman died, Milina did not want to go into details.
Minister Božinović also touched on Sunday's protest by parents and children in Retkovac due to peer violence and juvenile gangs in that Zagreb neighborhood, emphasizing that there is no longer a juvenile gang in that area and there is no reason for concern.
When asked how he would comment on the criticism of the police's work that could be heard during the protests, Božinović replied that the police always do their job and monitor everything that is said, including this case.
"The police have done their job in the sense that in the criminal investigation so far they have detected, detained and reported six perpetrators. Some of them will be held accountable through the system by being placed in facilities for minors, while those under the age of 14 will have to be dealt with through education, the effects of which must be monitored," he said.
He added that police officers follow all similar cases and act on reports, but also that it is "a job that requires interdepartmental and wider social activity and action".
Photo: HINA/Admir Buljubašić
