The Mayor of Astana, Zhenis Kassymbek, was outraged by a question from Talghat Yergaliyev, a deputy of the maslikhat, regarding the crime situation in the Saryarka district. The city mayor publicly instructed the deputy on the need for a more correct wording when making such statements.
According to Bes.media, the reaction was triggered by Talghat Yergaliyev's report, based on analytical research from Maqsut Narikbayev University and the Mind centre. According to the deputy, more than half of the crimes in the capital occur within a small area around the railway station.
He noted that in the Saryarka district, approximately 35 murders, 26 rapes, and more than 540 drug-related crimes are committed annually, and several thefts, cases of hooliganism, and robberies are recorded daily. Yergaliyev also cited international comparative data from Crime Rate and compared the situation in the district with major cities around the world.
After these claims, Zhenis Kassymbek asked the deputy to be more precise and "very careful" in his statements, reminding him that the meeting was being broadcast live.
The mayor emphasised that comparing Astana with Caracas (Venezuela) or other cities with high crime statistics was incorrect, and that every word spoken should be substantiated.
In response, Yergaliyev explained that he had used open sources. However, Kassymbek insisted that such statements require thorough verification.
Despite the disagreements, the mayor allowed the deputy to continue his speech. Yergaliyev proposed setting up an additional police station in the 16th district, pointing out a shortage of police officers and noting that the head of the police department's requests have been submitted for two years, but no decision has yet been made.
The deputy also suggested strengthening video surveillance, improving the district's lighting and infrastructure, and creating a separate programme to reduce street crime.
In turn, the mayor of the Saryarka district, Zhanasyl Shaukentayev, stated that the crime rate in the district had decreased by 12% last year. He added that this year, they had planned to open one police station but opened two, and had also installed additional video cameras.
Summing up the discussion, Zhenis Kassymbek returned to the deputy's question, stating that he considered his wording incorrect. He noted a reduction in crime in Astana this year of 27.6% compared to December last year.
Kassymbek reminded that the Saryarka district receives funding on par with other parts of the city and is actively developing: roads, schools, landscaping projects, a perinatal centre, and the Palace of Schoolchildren are being built. He promised to further review the deputy's request and, if necessary, strengthen security measures and funding for the district.