The Platform against Noise of Arrecife has shown its deepest rejection of the management of leisure by the City Council of the capital of Lanzarote. Thus, it has asked the mayor, Yonathan de León (Partido Popular), to "stop using the so-called city revitalization as an excuse to continue generating activities that cause acoustic disturbances to neighbors and passers-by."
Denounces the impact of the new "tardeos" in Arrecife
In this regard, the Platform against Noise states that to the numerous events denounced by the Department of Commerce of the Arrecife City Council and the Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism of the Cabildo, the so-called Tardeos Arrecife have been added since the end of August. Thus, this initiative has consisted of the installation of various kiosks and a stage next to the children's area of the Theme Park, offering food, drinks, and live music or DJ sets until 11:30 p.m.
"It should be noted that the City Council's plans regarding the tardeos had to be dismantled because they did not have permission from the Coastal Authority," the statement indicated. "In case the Coastal Authority grants permission and the idea of installing the tardeos is recovered, the Platform has pointed out that this initiative has caused 'significant disturbances for the neighbors who live in the vicinity and which are added to those that have unfortunately become habitual'."
Faced with the argument of "city revitalization," the Platform against Noise has put the following questions to the mayor: "What do you understand by revitalization? Does revitalizing mean playing and/or allowing the use of excessively loud music until late at night, whether in traditional festivities or not? Does revitalizing mean occupying public space with activities that exceed the decibel levels permitted by law and by municipal ordinances themselves, even if the City Council suspends said ordinances for numerous consecutive days, seriously harming people's well-being and health? Is Arrecife revitalized at the expense of the rest of those who live in it?".
Alcoholic beverages and music next to a playground
The Platform against noise of Arrecife does not share the city model or the leisure model that the current town hall proposes. "Is it necessary to fill a playground or a public square with live or played music? We understand that a playground or a public square should be a place for people to meet, for exchange, for rest, for walking, etc.", he added.
"There is no need to liven up those spaces with more noise than that which emerges from play and conversation," the neighbors have emphasized, opining that these types of spaces "do not foster encounters, they hinder them." "It bothers users and neighbors; listening to music should be an option, not an imposition," they added.
Thus, it has been pointed out that there is also "an ethical and educational issue" that deeply concerns them, and that is the doubtful compatibility of a terrace and the consumption of alcoholic beverages a few meters from the playground. "That leisure model linked to gastronomic and musical consumption does not satisfy us." To this they add "total permissiveness and the lack of effective inspections that convey a clear message of abandonment to the neighbors."
To conclude, they have pointed out to Yonathan de León that "not everything goes in the name of revitalization." "A city is not more dynamic because multiple activities and events with excessive decibels are proposed; such a city is a city that expels its inhabitants, becomes unlivable, is disrespectful and sick," he added.
The Platform has added that Arrecife needs many things, "the list is very long," but, above all, it needs a City Council that governs for all neighbors and that "respects the laws and ordinances regarding environmental protection and public health."
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