Antoni Oliver, the co-owner of the La Parada restaurant, says that residents and businesses have been begging for help in dealing with problems in the area. But the local police respond by explaining that they don't have the means. He describes the station as being a refuge for vagrants who get drunk and defecate. In addition, there is an issue with the sale of drugs. Oliver notes that he found a syringe the other day. Muggings are common, as are fights.
All of this has been reported to the police and to the town hall, but the lack of security continues. From eight in the evening, Oliver says, the place is a "jungle". Lack of cleanliness is a further issue. The municipal services agency Emaya doesn't clean at weekends, and he highlights the bad smell caused by vomit, faeces and rubbish.
Joan Forteza, president of the federation of residents associations, refers to the progressive degradation of the area. There is a lack of security and there is filth. There is also excessive occupation of the public way in the Parc de les Estacions and also in Plaça Espanya.
The Arca heritage association is voicing its concern. For some time it has been complaining about the Terminus Hostel, a building that has town hall listed protection status, as do two others. The association argues that the SFM railway operator and the town hall both have responsibility to maintain its image, but graffiti regularly appears on it.
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When I think back to when the Intermodal was opened, I thought 'what a wonderful achievement' having the trains and buses together after the years of construction. Like the majority of projects on the island a fortune was spent with beautiful tiling and pavements, then it's all completely ignored with never any maintenance. What a disaster to have to see this now. Even coming in on the train the graffiti is everywhere. Palma's outlying barrios are now no-go areas. I remember when the Pont Roma in Pollença was targeted by graffiti hooligans, the council acted straight away to remove it! Why can't Palma council police this and have private security if necessary.? Yes - at last a sensible use for the tourist tax. After all the station and hotel/bars and tourist office are used by tourists, being the central point for island. Once again for Més read Mess.
I totally agree with S. We need to take back this area both physically (by removing all the graffiti) and psychologically. The key is to stay one step ahead of the vandals by using efficient products that will dissuade the artists from returning, along with ample CCTV and special anti-graffiti coatings that protect porous surfaces. Speed is also of key importance. If a 'tag' can be removed quickly – preferably within a day – the artist will move on. From an artist’s perspective there is a level of risk involved, and what is the point of taking that risk if the tag will be removed within hours? A private security firm is also a must. This is our 'other' main transportation link to all parts of the island and with all the horrors that are going on in the world, protecting it is a cost we simply cannot avoid even if that means diverting some funds. It is an embarrassment for an island that lives off tourism and for those of us who live here.
That area is disgusting. I would suggest urgent repairs and cleansing are needed. A security patrol would illuminate many of this areas problems. Especially through the night. A privately funded security service , could be financed from the Tourist Tax. But it will not happen !. There are special paints that prevent Graffiti being sprayed on to the walls. It can then be easily removed.