Expert Warns That Residents May Stop Responding to Air Alerts 0 18

In Latvia, the approach to responding to threats to airspace should be reconsidered, and more flexible ways of informing the population should be sought. This opinion was expressed in an interview with TV3 by security expert and researcher at the University of Stradiņš, Vitaly Rakstiņš, according to LETA.

According to him, the current alerts about possible threats effectively lead to a halt in a significant part of public and economic life. The expert noted that this is precisely the effect that the adversary may seek to achieve — to cause tension, chaos, and mass restrictions without a direct strike.

At the same time, in Rakstiņš's opinion, the question arises about the proportionality of the current response measures. He believes that Latvia should actively study the experience of Ukraine, where air threats occur regularly and the warning system has become more adapted to everyday life.

Rakstiņš does not suggest abandoning the cellular alert system; however, he believes it can be supplemented with more precise and flexible solutions. For example, special applications where residents could receive regularly updated information about the real level of threat in specific areas.

Importantly, in recent days, warnings about possible threats to airspace in Latvia have already led to the suspension of exams, changes in school operations, and anxiety among residents.

Against this backdrop, there are growing concerns that with too frequent and vague alerts, people may start to take them less seriously.

Rakstiņš himself directly warned of the risk that residents may "get tired" of constant alerts and stop responding to them.

According to the expert, after the first lost military drones appeared in Latvia, the situation in the field of civil defense is gradually improving; however, changes are occurring slowly. He acknowledged that there is no ideal response system even in Ukraine, where such threats have become part of everyday reality.

The discussion on how to maintain a balance between security and normal societal life is becoming increasingly relevant in the Baltic States.