PRIVATE GUARDS TO KEEP WATCH OVER SCHOOLS

A municipality in northern Greece has decided to hire a private a
security firm in a bid to protect schools from the growing amount of
drug dealing in the area.

The Municipality of Polykastro, near northern Greece's Kilkis, agreed
to take the initiative and hire private guards after parent groups
complained about the dangers their children are exposed to.

"The only solution, given the lack of police supervision, is to
strike an agreement with a private security firm," said a municipal
official who preferred to remain anonymous.

According to Polykastro residents, there have been a number of
attempts by drug dealers to sell narcotics to students in areas close
to schools.

It was not clear which schools would be guarded by the private security firms.