Abalinx 1 October 2019 Peter Adamis
Robberies, cattle rustling, thieving and assaults were once the domain of the Klephtes (brigands) in days of old. Yet recently Pellana was struck again with a rash of robberies. A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: BRIGANDS STRIKE PELLANA AGAIN
In 2017 I was robbed six times and hence the introduction of security cameras. In the past two weeks seven homes have been broken in and in one case a considerable amount of money was stolen.
In the case of the cottage and the Hellenic ANZAC Gardens Memorial no damage or attempts of vandalism occurred. This is because of the security cameras and monitoring by the Police.
I still hold the belief that robberies occur as a result of informants within the village using external insiduous individuals to carry out their darstly deeds by instruction.
Some are accusing guest workers, drug addicts, refugees and others desperados seeking quick cash. However I still believe it’s a local inside job.
My advice to the locals prior to returning to Australia was to install security cameras at hotspots or isolated regions of the village. In addition it was suggested to them to create a village quick reaction force based on the Good Neighbour approach.
However it appears that living in a rural area where living off the land takes up much of the farmer’s time does not leave room for such innovative concepts to become a reality.
The police are stretched the limit with few resources at their disposal. They do a wonderful job in monitoring the many villages and towns surrounding the State capital, Sparta with the meagre assets at their disposal.
Last year whilst I was living on the outskirts of the village, an elderly pensioner was attacked three times in his own home. The last time he was assaulted, severely beaten and robbed of his money.
As mentioned above, such brigandage was rife 100 years ago in the Northern villages. The Northern villages were notorious for their cattle rustling and it took the government many years to bring law and order to the villages.
My great grandfather Vasili Adamis was a brigand, a robber and a cattle rustler. His days of cattle rustling came to an abrupt end once he was shot by the owner of the cattle he was attempting to rustle.
Shot and caught in the act, great grandfather was hauled into court limping from his injury to face the charges being levied against him. Suffice to say, he bribed his way out of his predicament using funds that his son had sent to him from the USA.
Now one would think, why a bloke would go cattle rustling when he had sufficient funds available. Money that was sent to him by his son. (My grandfather Peter).
From information I gathered from my father and others of his generation, I was advised that stealing and cattle rustling was in their grandparent’s blood. It was seen as a legitimate form of employment for those living in the mountains and wilds of North Laconia.
Brigands were hardly caught by the Police because no one would be willing to identify them. Many brigands had a nick name that was always used to identify individuals in the village.
For example the nickname “KALFA” may belong to the local chief or Capitano of a group of rustlers. When the Police came to arrest “KALFA”, no one would own up or say where this “KALFA” was.
As the years went by law enforcement was enhanced, security measures implemented and changes in the villages, all but put a stop to the raids of the brigands.
It is sad to see such activities thriving today and it can only be put down to the severe financial difficulties faced by the Greeks in Greece. The locals themselves must take some responsibility for their own safety and well being and band together to act as a deterrent. If they don’t, then such activities will continue unabated.
Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Social Media Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum. He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News. He holds a Bachelor of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Website: abalinx.com Contact via Email: [email protected]