Demolition Men

Palma police were out again in force yesterday to escort demolition workers on to the infamous Palma neighbourhood of Son Banya. The rabbit warren of prefabricated houses, a den of drugs and crime, is due to be completely flattened, but for the moment, the Son Banya community is split between those who want to leave to new housing and those gangs who want to remain. However, yesterday, the first phase of a three-phase relocation plan was completed with the demolition of the last remaining illegal building in the area, a large garage/warehouse. Members of both the National and Local Police were dispatched to the area in force to ensure that the demolition crews were not met by the usual inhospitable greeting which unwelcome visitors are normally treated to. There were no incidents and work proceeded with no interruptions. Now Palma council will start planning the execution of the second phase, which involves the demolition of houses which have been voluntarily abandoned.