The mayor visited Praça do Município to hear from union representatives and security force agents who participated in a demonstration in Ponta Delgada. Cabral deemed the demands "just" and called for them to be heard and addressed, highlighting the "enormous responsibilities" these professionals have in protecting the public.
A key demand of the protest was the revision of pay scales and attention to the conditions of police work. Pedro Nascimento Cabral stressed that salary and professional valorization are crucial for dignifying careers and combating recruitment difficulties.
The Mayor reiterated the need to increase the PSP staffing in Ponta Delgada, arguing that "more officers mean greater police presence on the streets, better oversight, and increased capacity for crime prevention and deterrence." He argued that the city requires staffing "adjusted to its size".
Cabral also insisted on the importance of ensuring the permanent operation of the PSP station in Ponta Delgada, contesting the closure of services during nights and weekends. "It is unacceptable that the largest city in the Azores does not have a permanently open police station," he stated.
Concerns were also raised about the condition of police facilities and the insufficient number of vehicles. Pedro Nascimento Cabral considered it essential for professionals to have "dignified infrastructure and the necessary equipment." Although the primary responsibility lies with the State, the Municipality offered to collaborate in finding solutions, exploring a protocol for facility rehabilitation.
The mayor recalled existing cooperation, such as the implementation of the video surveillance system, and concluded that his office will continue to "be a spokesperson for these just demands" to the Government of the Republic, as "what is at stake is the dignity of the professionals and the safety of the entire population".
