Yesterday, March 12, a dialogue platform, "Prevention of Crime Among Youth," was held in the assembly hall of the main building of the Belarusian National Technical University. Participants included first-year students from five faculties: Automobile and Tractor Engineering (ATF), Energy Engineering (EE), Faculty of Management Technologies and Humanitarian Studies (FMTUG), Instrument Engineering (PIE), and the Faculty of Transport Communications (FTC). The main goal of the event was to improve students' legal literacy and prevent illegal activities.
The students were addressed by Police Colonel Aleksey Chubarov, Deputy Head of the Department for Ideological Work and Personnel Support of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk; Police Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Babich, Head of the State Automobile Inspectorate of the Public Security Police of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk; and Police Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Maslov, Head of the Law Enforcement and Prevention Department of the Public Security Police of the Pervomaisky District Administration of Minsk.
Opening the meeting, Aleksey Chubarov spoke to the students about the most common types of fraud and ways to protect themselves from them. He focused on telephone and online scammers, who often attempt to mislead people by posing as law enforcement or bank employees. The speaker emphasized that genuine police officers do not call citizens via instant messaging apps or ask them to perform any actions involving the transfer of money or valuables. The law enforcement representative also warned about a common scheme in which scammers persuade people to hand over their valuables, supposedly for their "safekeeping." In such cases, it's important to remain vigilant and remember that such demands are a sign of fraud.
The issue of illegal drug trafficking was a separate topic of discussion. Alexey Vladimirovich noted that law enforcement agencies regularly encounter young people who become involved in criminal schemes related to the distribution of illegal substances. Using real-life examples, the students were shown the consequences of drug use and involvement in their distribution. The speaker emphasized that so-called "drug dealers" rarely go unpunished: they are quickly identified, and the punishment for such crimes carries lengthy prison sentences.
Alexander Babich focused on road safety in his speech. He reminded students of the need to be attentive even in the most mundane situations. Before crossing the road or driveway, it's important to put away your phone, remove your headphones, and look carefully around.
The speaker also emphasized the unacceptability of driving under the influence of alcohol. He noted that such cases not only pose a serious threat to others but also entail strict liability. The minimum fine for such a violation is 100 basic units, and a driving license suspension of three years or more is also provided. Alexander Vladimirovich also drew the students' attention to the rules for using personal mobility devices. They should be used on sidewalks and bike paths, and it is important to be considerate of others. Pedestrians and children may be on sidewalks and easily overlooked.
Speaking about traffic violations, the speaker noted a common problem: drivers running late try to rush through intersections on a yellow light. However, such actions are prohibited and can lead to accidents. Furthermore, Minsk currently has a large number of traffic safety cameras, so it's not worth hoping that a violation will go unnoticed. The speaker also emphasized the importance of wearing seat belts when driving.
In his speech, Andrei Maslov addressed the issue of maintaining public order. He reminded the students that drinking alcohol and being intoxicated are prohibited while living in the dormitory. Violating these rules can lead not only to eviction but also to administrative liability, which could leave a negative impact in the future.
The speaker also emphasized the need to adhere to the law in everyday life. With the arrival of warmer weather, many are eager to spend more time outdoors, but this doesn't mean they can forget about the rules of conduct and public order. He emphasized that even situations such as finding an item on the street can have legal consequences. Finding a lost item and making no attempt to return it to its owner can also lead to liability. In such cases, it's important to contact the police, who will help identify the owner and return the item. Andrei Vladimirovich also emphasized the importance of not abusing calls to law enforcement agencies by making false or prank calls.
The meeting allowed the students to receive answers to all their questions. We thank the speakers for the helpful information!
