Editorial: Good citizens

THE Palma city council have introduced a new code of conduct and you can be fined for anything ranging from using the services of a prostitute to allowing your dog to foul the footpath. In theory it is a massive crackdown aimed at making the capital a better place to live by transforming us into better citizens. Residents and tourists will be urged to cover-up away from beach areas. The plan will be introduced first in the Playa de Palma, home to the resorts of Arenal and Can Pastilla. There will be a massive crackdown on street vendors and the days of German tourists sitting on the beachfront drinking a lethal mix of alcohol from a bucket using a straw are numbered, allegedly. I say allegedly because it is not the first time that a local authority has launched a campaign of this type.  It is launched, makes banner headlines and then it is quitely forgotten with the ills which it was meant to penalise taking place across the town or city. I welcome the council´s plan but it must be enforced. Palma has a limited number of police officers and they are going to have to work long and hard to enforce the new “Good Citizen´s Plan.” Also, as some of the legislation directly affects tourists how are they going to inform holidaymakers of the new laws?  Can you imagine the paperwork  which would be needed to fine all tourists who don´t cover up when they visit central Palma?  Agood idea but to enforce the new plan they will have to recruit thousands of officers.