Protecting People and Communities
Every day, we pass strangers on the street, drive to work, or go to school often without thinking about what keeps us safe. Yet behind this sense of normal life stands a complex system built to protect us from danger. Public safety is the foundation of peaceful communities. It means protecting people and property from crime, accidents, and disasters.
Every country develops safety measures to make life safer, such as installing security cameras on the city streets, creating public awareness campaigns, and carrying out regular risk assessments. When an incident happens, people are encouraged to report a crime quickly so that emergency services can respond in time.
During emergencies, police, firefighters, and paramedics work together to save lives. Rescue teams often evacuate families from dangerous areas, while an operator answers emergency calls and gives instructions. People are also taught self-defence so they can protect themselves when necessary, while crime prevention projects help reduce violence and build trust between citizens and the police.
However, even with good planning, crimes still occur. Some, like shoplifting or break-ins, may cause material loss, while others such as armed robbery, drug dealing, or domestic violence can destroy lives. Identity theft is another modern crime, when someone steals personal information to get money or goods. A drug dealer or shoplifter may be caught after a long police chase. Officers often capture criminals with the help of eyewitnesses who describe what they saw.
Some offences are extremely serious. A murderer may face life sentence for taking someone’s life, while attempted murder means trying to kill but failing. Conspiracy to commit a crime is also illegal. On a larger scale, terrorism threatens public safety when terrorists plan bombings to spread fear. War crimes and the actions of war criminals show how violence can break international law and harm innocent people.
When justice is served, a sentence depends on the seriousness of the crime. Minor offenders may be ordered to do community service, helping others without payment. Those guilty of violent acts might receive a life sentence, while in some countries the death sentence is still used for the most terrible crimes.
Public safety depends on cooperation and awareness. By following safety measures, supporting law enforcement, and showing responsibility, citizens can reduce danger and protect their communities. Everyone has a role in building a world where people feel secure, respected, and free from fear.
Revise: you have already learned about different safety topics in form 8. Revise about safety on the road and first aid here: Road Safety, First Aid. Personal safety and safety in a digital environment and crime: Digital Safety and Crime. Electricity, water and fire safety: Safety at Home and in Nature
Key Vocabulary:
incident — [ˈɪn.sɪ.dənt] — an event that is unpleasant or unusual starpgadījums, gadījums
public safety — [ˌpʌblɪk ˈseɪfti] — the protection of people and property from danger, crime, or disasters; sabiedrības drošība
public awareness — [ˌpʌblɪk əˈweənəs] — knowledge and understanding among people about an issue; sabiedrības informētība
risk assessment — [ˈrɪsk əˌsesmənt] — a careful study of possible dangers and how to reduce them; risku novērtējums
safety measures — [ˈseɪfti ˌmeʒəz] — actions taken to prevent accidents or danger; drošības pasākumi
Emergency and Rescue Services
emergency services — [ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi sɜːvɪsɪz] — the police, ambulance, and fire services; neatliekamie palīdzības dienesti
evacuate — [ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt] — to move people from a dangerous place to safety; evakuēt
operator — [ˈɒp.ər.eɪ.tər] — a person who helps to connect people on a phone system; operators
paramedic — [ˌpær.əˈmed.ɪk] — a medical worker trained to give emergency care; mediķis, kurš nolaižas pie slimnieka ar izpletni
rescue — [ˈres.kjuː] — to save someone from danger or harm; glābt, izglābšana
Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention
crime prevention — [kraɪm prɪˈven.ʃən] — actions taken to stop crimes from happening; noziegumu novēršana
report a crime — [rɪˈpɔːt ə kraɪm] — to tell the police that a crime has happened; ziņot par noziegumu
security camera — [sɪˈkjʊərəti ˌkæmrə] — a camera used for monitoring and recording to improve safety; novērošanas kamera
self-defence — [ˌself dɪˈfens] — protecting yourself from attack; pašaizsardzība
Criminal Offences (General and Serious Crimes)
armed robbery — [ˌɑːmd ˈrɒb.ər.i] — the crime of stealing from someone using weapons; bruņota laupīšana
attempted murder — [əˈtemp.tɪd ˈmɜː.dər] — trying to kill someone but failing; slepkavības mēģinājums
break-in — [ˈbreɪk.ɪn] — entering a building illegally, often to steal something; ielaušanās
conspiracy — [kənˈspɪr.ə.si] — secret planning with others to do something bad or illegal; sazvērestība
drug dealer — [ˈdrʌɡ ˌdiː.lər] — a person who sells illegal drugs; narkotiku tirgotājs
drug dealing — [ˈdrʌɡ ˌdiː.lɪŋ] — the activity of selling illegal drugs; narkotiku izplatīšana
domestic violence — [dəˌmes.tɪk ˈvaɪə.ləns] — the situation in which someone you live with attacks you and tries to hurt you; vardarbība ģimenē
identity theft — [aɪˈden.tə.ti ˌθeft] — using someone’s personal information to pretend to be them; identitātes zādzība
murderer — [ˈmɜː.dər.ər] — someone who illegally and intentionally kills another person; slepkava
shoplifting — [ˈʃɒplɪftɪŋ] — stealing goods from a shop without paying; zādzība tirdzniecības vietā
shoplifter — [ˈʃɒplɪftə] — a person who steals goods from a shop; veikalu zaglis
Terrorism and War Crimes
bomber — [ˈbɒm.ər] — a person who uses bombs; spridzinātājs
bombing — [ˈbɒm.ɪŋ] — an attack or attacks using bombs; spridzināšana, bombardēšana
terrorism — [ˈter.ər.ɪ.zəm] — violent action or threats designed to cause fear among ordinary people, in order to achieve political aims; terorisms
terrorist — [ˈter.ə.rɪst] — someone who uses violence for political purposes; terorists
war crime — [ˈwɔː ˌkraɪm] — a crime committed during war that breaks international rules; kara noziegums
war criminal — [ˈwɔː ˌkrɪm.ɪ.nəl] — a person who commits war crimes; kara noziedznieks
Police Action and Response
capture — [ˈkæp.tʃər] — to take someone as a prisoner; sagūstīt, notvert
chase — [tʃeɪs] — to hurry after someone in order to catch them; pakaļdzīšanās, dzīties pakaļ
eyewitness — [ˈaɪˌwɪt.nəs] — a person who saw something happen, for example, a crime or an accident; aculiecinieks
shooting — [ˈʃu·t̬ɪŋ] — the act of firing bullets from guns or other weapons; šaušana
Punishments and Legal Consequences
community service — [kəˌmjuː.nə.ti ˈsɜː.vɪs] — work done without payment to help others as part of a legal punishment; sabiedriskie darbi
death sentence — [ˈdeθ ˌsen.təns] — the punishment of being killed for a crime; nāves spriedums
life sentence — [ˌlaɪf ˈsen.təns] — imprisonment for life or for a very long period; mūža ieslodzījums
sentence — [ˈsen.təns] — a punishment given by a judge in court to a person or organization after they have been found guilty of doing something wrong; spriedums
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Think how you would answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to express your opinion — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
Discussion-Type Questions
1. How can crime prevention programmes make a difference?
"Personally, I think crime prevention is more effective than punishment because it stops problems before they start. For example, educating teenagers about the risks of drug dealing or domestic violence helps reduce future crimes. In my opinion, prevention builds safer communities and saves both money and lives."
"Personally, I think crime prevention is more effective than punishment because it stops problems before they start. For example, educating teenagers about the risks of drug dealing or domestic violence helps reduce future crimes. In my opinion, prevention builds safer communities and saves both money and lives."
2. What role do emergency services play in protecting people?
"I believe emergency services are the backbone of public safety. Paramedics, firefighters, and police officers respond quickly when an incident occurs. Their rescue efforts during accidents or disasters often save lives. In my opinion, we should respect their work and support better training and equipment."
"I believe emergency services are the backbone of public safety. Paramedics, firefighters, and police officers respond quickly when an incident occurs. Their rescue efforts during accidents or disasters often save lives. In my opinion, we should respect their work and support better training and equipment."
3. Why is it important for citizens to report a crime when they witness one?
"Personally, I believe reporting a crime shows social responsibility. If people stay silent, criminals may continue to harm others. When citizens cooperate with the police and share information as eyewitnesses, justice can be served more quickly. In my view, even small actions can make a big difference."
"Personally, I believe reporting a crime shows social responsibility. If people stay silent, criminals may continue to harm others. When citizens cooperate with the police and share information as eyewitnesses, justice can be served more quickly. In my view, even small actions can make a big difference."
4. What can governments do to reduce violent crimes such as murder or terrorism?
"In my opinion, governments must combine strong laws with education. Strict punishment, like a life sentence, may discourage serious crimes, but prevention and social support are equally important. I believe promoting tolerance, dialogue, and fair justice helps reduce hate and violence in the long term."
"In my opinion, governments must combine strong laws with education. Strict punishment, like a life sentence, may discourage serious crimes, but prevention and social support are equally important. I believe promoting tolerance, dialogue, and fair justice helps reduce hate and violence in the long term."
5. How can international cooperation help fight war crimes and terrorism?
"In my opinion, no country can fight terrorism alone. Sharing information, supporting peace missions, and punishing war criminals through international courts are essential. I believe that global unity shows that violence and fear will never win over justice and human rights."
"In my opinion, no country can fight terrorism alone. Sharing information, supporting peace missions, and punishing war criminals through international courts are essential. I believe that global unity shows that violence and fear will never win over justice and human rights."