In Odessa, 4 billion has been allocated for the "Safe City" program

Odessa has prepared an update to the city’s “Safe City Odessa” target program for 2020–2028. The proposed changes include adjustments to the structure of implementing agencies, adaptation of measures to the conditions of martial law, and maintaining the program’s funding at nearly 4 billion hryvnias.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

The Executive Committee approved the proposals to amend the program and forwarded them to the Odessa City Military Administration for review. The need to update the document stems from the creation of the city military administration and the need to clarify the list of agencies and units that will be involved in implementing security measures.

The draft provides for updating the program’s scope, funding sources, implementation mechanisms, and main areas of work. A wide range of law enforcement, military, rescue, and government agencies are planned to be involved in implementing the measures. These include the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, the Economic Security Bureau, the State Bureau of Investigations, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and other agencies.

The program’s main objectives remain improving public safety, developing video surveillance and video analytics systems, implementing modern solutions for responding to emergencies, as well as continuously monitoring the situation in the city and coordinating the work of relevant services.

The updated version places special emphasis on supporting the activities of law enforcement agencies, military units, rescue workers, and civil protection units under martial law. The document also provides for enhanced cooperation between city authorities and state agencies in the security and defense sectors.

Total funding for the program through 2028 amounts to 3 billion 880 million 353 thousand hryvnias. Funding is planned to be provided from the budget of the Odesa City Territorial Community within the limits of available financial resources.

In May, the Regional Directorate of the Territorial Defense Forces "South" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a video showing the ongoing construction of engineering barriers and fortifications. Construction of several kilometers of anti-tank trenches and fortified positions (bunkers) is also nearing completion, which is intended to strengthen the city’s perimeter defense system.

Анна Бальчінос