While the tourism sector in Playa de Palma has welcomed the adoption of an 'Amsterdam model', so named because of that city's heavy fines, there is some scepticism about the town hall's measures. As ever, they can only be effective if they are enforced. And this means having sufficient numbers of police.
Juanmi Ferrer is the CEO of the Palma Beach association. Reflecting on the 2023 season, he was one of those who reckoned that it had been the worst ever in terms of insecurity and bad behaviour. He has therefore certainly welcomed "the message being sent to the German public", but it will all depend on having greater police presence.
Martínez explained in Berlin that there would be an increase in local police numbers and that he would be holding talks with the Spanish government's delegation in the Balearics regarding a "significant" increase in National Police reinforcements.
However, this can be easier said than done, one issue being accommodation for police who come from the mainland for the season.
Pedro Marín, the president of the Playa de Palma hoteliers association, points out that the hoteliers have offered to help in this regard. Last November, the association promised to provide rooms for ten police officers. This number was mentioned at the time and was said to represent a "decisive reinforcement to reduce criminal activity". He adds that if there were to be more officers, this wouldn't be a problem. The offer stands, however many rooms might be needed. "The important thing is that a significant number arrive who can make a difference; not just two or three officers."
Marín advocates there being Guardia Civil officers. "Whether it's because they are a military body or for other reasons, they always command more respect." But Palma, like other major cities, is first and foremost National Police territory, while Guardia Civil reinforcements are needed for other resorts in Mallorca - Magalluf, for instance.
As to mixed patrols with police from other countries, something that the mayor valued during his presentation in Berlin, Marín doubts their efficiency. This scepticism extends to the bylaw. "The new ordinance will be good, but the problem will be enforcing it."
4 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
Spain needs to end the local police services, and have a national police service that employs officers who are empowered to enforce all the laws of the country, both local or national, without fear or favour, and in the name of the Crown, not in the name of the local bigshot mayor. The Guardia Civil should act as a national guard to reinforce the national police wherever they may be needed across the country. Police pay and conditions need to reflect the indispensability of the policing role in a free and democratic society.
There’re never enough police in many towns and municipalities around Mallorca. Perhaps Spain needs to radically reshape its policing and security set up? I cannot see how having 3 separate “policing” entities with much overlapping on many similar responsibilities is very effective.
It’s very easy for Sr Martinez to blame tourists for “anti social behaviour” from the comfort of his office and to think that fines will solve the “problem”. It’s a known fact that most crime and misdeeds are committed by people who live here, not always legally, and see tourists as easy picking. Barcelona is a prime case of this. His argument would have more credibility if he started solving the ever increasing crime and “anti social behaviour” in Palma first.
There can be no safety or security in the nighttime economy unless the private security industry is robustly Policed. In most countries it’s often left to private companies to recruit people who like to think they can ‘handle themselves in a fight’, but it also encourages some people who like the excuse to use violence. It’s very difficult for someone who is drunk and maybe was behaving inappropriately to prove they were beaten unlawfully- hence the thugs in uniform are at leisure to inflict grievous violence. Solution? A central pool of qualified operatives who are allocated by the local Police licensing team and rotated occasionally. (Paid for by the establishments). It’s too easy for owners to recruit their own teams and then look the other way when the heavies take their sadistic pleasure out on someone. Independent teams would be accountable to the central pool supervision and more likely to whistle blow against the owners for licensing violations.