In the last four months, the Barcelona Urban Police signed 52,000 complaints for incivility linked to nightlife and irregular street vending. Police pressure against certain behaviors, from urinating or drinking alcohol in the street or making noise at the doors of a bar at certain hours, which will be redoubled in the Christmas campaign presented yesterday by different municipal officials.
If driving is already an odyssey at certain times, imagine the trap that the streets of Barcelona can become in full Christmas euphoria. Hence, the Deputy Mayor for Prevention, Security, Coexistence and Internal Regime, Albert Batlle, made a call this Monday to leave the car at home and move on foot or by public transport.
Two weeks ago several elements coincided that caused a great collapse. The feminist demonstration against sexist violence forced the Urban Police to cut off traffic on several streets, and the center literally collapsed.
On other days, traffic is slow, but, for the moment, public and private parking lots are not exceeding 50% occupancy. A figure that indicates that visitors from outside Barcelona or other neighborhoods are being cautious and do not come by car. In any case, access to the center will be restricted when the mobility and parking occupancy data threaten to collapse again.
The control of irregular street vending is another element on which the Urban Police will work intensively. Street commerce is controlled, but those responsible for the police know that when they lift the pressure, the blankets with all kinds of products to the highest bidder will quickly reappear.
The crowds these days offer the perfect setting for careless robberies. Last year at Christmas, 20,000 crimes were reported in the city. 80% were property complaints, with an overwhelming majority of careless thefts in shopping centers or on public transport.
Crowds do not allow thieves to use violence, which is why these are dates where, above all, multiple repeat offenders operate, trying to take advantage of the tumult and collective happiness that intoxicates us these days so as not to have complexes about putting their hand in a pocket or a purse.
The Urban Police will work in coordination with the Mossos d’Esquadra and private security, and with a 16% increase in guards compared to last year. A growth that is possible after the latest promotion of agents and that will allow, for example, that on a key Christmas day, 424 municipal police officers spread over three shifts operate on the street.
The mayor and head of the Urban Guard, Pedro Velázquez, together with Albert Batlle, presented a campaign that, as in previous years, will intensify inspections in leisure venues that celebrate New Year’s Eve parties.
In coordination with social services and entities, the Urban Guard will also be on the lookout for homeless people, especially on days when temperatures drop. And the new points for accompaniment and collection of complaints about sexist violence, which are increasing significantly at this time, will remain open.
In short, a campaign whose purpose is for the city to celebrate a “safe, civic and especially happy” Christmas, Velazquez highlighted.
