A discussion has erupted in Latvia following the appearance of a video on social media in which representatives of the Latvijas Aizsargu organizācija announced their intention to patrol the streets of Riga, as reported by Bb.lv. The authors of the video claimed that the reason for this decision was the disrespect of newcomers towards European traditions, and that the initiative was allegedly agreed upon with the municipal police, according to LSM+. The video was published on the page of one of the organization's leaders, Gatis Ulmanis. The recording stated that members of the organization plan to independently monitor public order on the streets. However, the Riga municipal police stated that such claims are not true. Police representative Ieva Lukaza-Apalupa emphasized that public organizations operate within the framework of current legislation and cannot perform functions that are legally assigned to state or municipal law enforcement agencies. "The activities of any public organization are regulated by normative acts; however, they do not provide for organizations to perform functions that are legally delegated to state or municipal law enforcement agencies. The Riga municipal police informed the organization that spreading such statements misleads the public, and the organization is not authorized to carry out actions related to the competencies of law enforcement agencies," Lukaza-Apalupa explained. Shortly after this, the video was removed from Gatis Ulmanis's page. The police also reminded that any person, including representatives of public organizations, has the right to report observed violations or suspicious behavior. In such cases, residents are urged to immediately contact the police at 112. However, public associations do not have the right to independently perform law enforcement functions.