Narva police: call 112 first, don't film window smashing
A man with a hammer smashed shop windows and doors in central Narva; police urge witnesses to call 112 immediately instead of filming.
On Tuesday, August 4, around midday, police in Narva received a report about a man with a hammer who was smashing shop windows and door glass in the city center. The Ida Prefecture said on social media that many residents and visitors saw what was happening, but instead of immediately calling the emergency number 112, they chose to take photos and record videos.
According to preliminary information, the man managed to cause damage at three different addresses, but witnesses called the emergency center from only one location. A police patrol arrived at the scene within five minutes. Officers detained a 29-year-old man, and a criminal investigation was launched.
The Ida Prefecture noted that if police had been informed earlier, the damage caused by the man would most likely have been significantly smaller. In such incidents, the time factor is critical: the faster information reaches the police, the faster they can respond to the call and prevent further damage to property or danger to people. Police also stressed that people should never try to stop or admonish a person behaving inadequately, as this could escalate the situation. In the event of an immediate threat or a public order violation, the first step should be to contact the emergency center on 112. Police have the necessary knowledge and skills to handle such situations.
The Ida Prefecture assured that Narva remains a safe city to live in and visit. According to the source, at about 11:30 in the city center, the man smashed the windows of the Old Trafford restaurant on Petrovska Square, the windows of the Araxes alcohol store on Pushkin Street, and the doors of the Kerese Keskus shopping center on Kerese Street. A criminal proceeding was initiated under the Penal Code article on damage and destruction of property. The offender in Estonia could face a fine or up to five years in prison. Rus.Postimees reported that the Old Trafford restaurant has preliminarily estimated the damage at 6,000 euros.
