Investigation: The vast majority for the return from military service, the internal enemy of Serbia are two things

This is demonstrated by the research “Citizen attitudes on security”, the results of which were presented by the Center for Security Policy in Belgrade.

The data shows that trust in security institutions is stable and again in first place is the Serbian Army, which is trusted by 65% ​​of citizens, who also believe that there is the least corruption in the military, said the investigator of the BCSP Marija Ignjatovic, adding that citizens believe that the Army can protect the country. .

Trust in the police is also stable, although at the same time more than 70 percent of citizens believe that it is corrupt and that it protects criminals associated with politicians, politicians and powerful financiers.

When it comes to security threats, citizens believe the biggest threats come from within: 73 percent of citizens see the “white plague” and drug addiction as a security threat (69 percent) , and see migrants (20 percent), great powers as the biggest external threats (18 percent), the US (17 percent) and Kosovo (15 percent).

When asked what to invest in, citizens put medical care first because of the coronavirus, then buying weapons, reducing pollution, increasing army and police salaries, defending against floods and other natural disasters. and police equipment.

Ignjatović noted that it shows that citizens’ attitudes are somewhat contradictory, because they think that the greatest threats come from within, and that hard power must be strengthened and invested in the army and the police.

This happens because after the Serbian Army and the Serbian Orthodox Church, thirdly, citizens trust the media, and mostly they are informed through televisions that do not critically re-examine what the government says, Ignjatović said.

BCSP researcher Marija Pavlović said that citizens of Serbia feel safe, mainly at home, but that they do not believe that state agencies contribute to their sense of security.

When it comes to the July protests, half of those surveyed believe that the police reacted appropriately, with some cases of excessive use of force, and believe that anyone who attends the violent protests is to blame for what was done to them. happened, even if they don’t do anything wrong. .

When it comes to the epidemic, Pavlović said the investigation was conducted in late September and early October, and that 63% of citizens felt safe then, but that he thought that number would be lower today, due to the increase. in the number of infected.

BCSP associate Sasa Djordjevic said citizens’ concerns about organized crime are returning to Serbia, because mafia killings or “car explosions” happen constantly.

He added that research shows that citizens have an unrealistic expectation that the military can solve internal problems, although its role is to protect citizens from external threats.