The prostitution which really angers people is that which masquerades as prostitution but is the disguise for violent crime. For years, there have been demands for action and for years there has been a failure to take action. Intermittently, there have been police operations and periodically there have been protests, but the problem never ceases.
Calvia town hall has insisted that there are fewer incidents than in the past. The town hall convinces very few people when it makes such a statement. The regional government's tourism minister recently said much the same, adding that the prostitutes are a matter for the state, in other words the national government delegation and the state security forces.
While there is truth to this, the explanation is seen as passing the buck or as a washing of the hands. Are there not also adequate bylaws, and if they need strengthening, public order ordinance should have teeth to simply outlaw street prostitution. If there is any hint of this prostitution occurring, the police can therefore move. The argument has long been that for local police to act (against the violence), an incident has to be seen. It is reactive rather than proactive.
New protests are promised. There was one during the early hours the other day. As well as the prostitutes, there are the dealers. They too have a form of disguise - illegal street sellers. The curious nature of control is ever more curious. One illegal activity is dealt with now and then, while another goes hand in hand with it. Two times illegal, and both problems persist.
Residents and businesses point to ever more numbers of illegal sellers. It remains to be seen if the latest ordinance from the town hall will bring about a reduction. Meanwhile, businesses say that they are suffering because of the criminal activity. They maintain that fewer people are coming to Magalluf or are out and about less than in previous years.
6 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
This is what happens when you allow thousands of years of history to be erased. Countries like the UK and Spain, France etc have built fairly decent societies by any standards. Letting the flotsam and jetsam from Eastern Europe and Africa have free reign is only a recipe for disaster and a surefire spiral downwards. Nelson and Napoleon will be 'birling' in their graves.
Just returned from Santa Ponsa after 7 days in the sun. Every day someone in the hotel reported they had been pickpocketed. There was also reports on the Santa Ponsa facebook page of attempted thefts. Most in broad daylight. Seems like the muggers/pick pockets are moving along the road a bit. No wonder people are going all inclusive, and not leaving the hotel.
The dealing in broad daylight with police patrols ignoring what is going on is a farce. The muggers made me feel unsafe so If I was alone I felt I had to return to my apartment before they came out. It's not just a problem in Magaluf, it's more rife than that (Canary Islands). Why does the Spanish government not act because tourism will suffer if it hasn't already.
ALL those in authority in Mallorca are pathetic. Pass the buck and stick their heads in the sand. The intelligence authority (if they've got any) by now must know who the drugs and pimps leader's are. Dawn raid and deport back to their country of origin. Spanish arrested and sentenced.Unless of course there are back handers taking place?
How did these illegal immigrants ( Prostitutes and Pimps etc. ) enter the Island ?. They must have come from, or via , Countries that signed the Schengen Treaty. Many from Nigeria , via Germany. I doubt they are British, they would not clear Passport Controls . Why don't the Guardia and Policia arrest the offenders, and DEPORT them, using the money from their ill gotten gains ? .
So the local businesses have noticed a reduction in tourists, that’s because of the rental law. Didn’t take long for people to start feeling the affects.