Security to be stepped up in Son Gotleu

The issue has blown up into a full scale social and political one now with the family and friends of the victim announcing that they are taking their own legal action because they do not believe the police's versions of events on the night of the death of Efosa Okosun.

The central government delegate to the Balearics, Ramon Socias, who is responsible for the National Police, which not only helped to contain the riots but also carried out the homicide investigation, has been called by the ruling Partido Popular to appear before parliament and provide a full explanation as to what is exactly going on in Son Gotleu.

And, the Mayor, apologised for not having visited the scene yet, despite having been asked to by the police. According to Isern, it is still too early and he has not gone into Son Gotleu for “security and strategic reasons.” Socias was also forced to deny that the National Police are carrying out “indiscriminate” deportations of illegal immigrants in Son Gotleu which has two very large communities of Nigerians and ethnic gypsies which are the cause of all the tension.

Turf war
Last week's violent clashes were not the first, but the most serious.
Socias said during the week that there has been a long standing turf war between the two communities over controlling the drug dealing in the area and for that reason, the neighbourhood has been flooded with police for the past ten days and, as a result of yesterday's meeting, scores of extra Local and National Police are going to remain on the beat for the foreseeable future.

Isern said it is going to take time to resolve the problems in Son Gotleu, but to begin with, three extra six-strong patrol units and three neighbourhood police officers are going to be stationed in Son Gotleu along with half of the rapid response patrol which has spent the summer on the beat along the Playa de Palma.

Socias, on behalf of the state security services, has pledged extra police motorcyclists, riot vehicles and members of the riot squad.
But, Isern stressed that the police alone can not solve the problems and he intends to get the various social organisations and residents involved in restoring some peace and tranquility to the neighbourhood.

Socias refused to comment on the investigation into the death of Okosun because the case is still open.
But what he did say was that there is only one person who can explain why the Nigerian was hanging from the front of a building when he slipped and fell “and that is the victim. So we'll have to let the police and judiciary do their jobs.” But, until justice has been seen to have been done, tensions will remain high in Son Gotleu.