The Civil Guard reported a total of 71 vehicles for invading protected spaces during the last weekend of the Caleta de Famara festivities. In addition, in those three days, the Civil Guard also processed 93 administrative complaints for possession or consumption of drugs, one complaint to a person carrying a bladed weapon and another 5 complaints for theft. The police force has highlighted that the development of the festivities in terms of security and in comparison with last year was "optimal". The mayor of Teguise has issued a note of thanks praising their "commendable work".
As explained to La Voz from the Civil Guard, their agents registered 71 serious infractions of the Canarian decree on Tourism Planning and Protected Spaces. Specifically, these were violations of the article that sanctions the "circulation without the legally required authorizations of motorized vehicles through or outside the tracks or paths delimited for that purpose." And the Civil Guard emphasizes that the coast of Famara is part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park and, therefore, is a "zone of special protection for birds and ecological sensitivity."
"You have to circulate on the authorized roads," they emphasize. The City Council had arranged public transport for the entry and exit of those attending the party and also "specific spaces for the circulation of vehicles." Despite this, there were those who "did not heed these indications," the police force has pointed out. In their majority, the complaints were for the "parking" of vehicles outside the authorized zones. This type of serious infraction, according to the Civil Guard, can entail fines of between 100 and 1,000 euros, depending on "the graduation and the repair of the damage" caused.
On the other hand, another 93 administrative complaints were processed for the "possession or consumption" of drugs "on public roads." This, they point out, constitutes a serious infraction of the Citizen Security Law, with fines starting at 600 euros. These complaints, however, are of an administrative type and refer to the "petty dealing" of drugs, with quantities that are considered self-consumption. Thus, last Friday, Saturday and Sunday there were no arrests for drug trafficking crimes.
The agents processed another administrative complaint for a serious infraction also contemplated in the Citizen Security Law. In this case, it was a person carrying an "automatic knife" with a 9-centimeter blade, since "carrying, exhibiting or using prohibited weapons" is also sanctioned in that law. Finally, the agents processed 5 complaints for theft, relating to personal belongings such as wallets or cell phones. The police force has highlighted that they are "very few" for parties with such a massive influx.
"Optimal" security
From the Civil Guard they have also alluded to the changes that were implemented this year for these increasingly crowded parties. The City Council eliminated the so-called "alternative zone" of the party with the argument of maintaining security in a decision that was very controversial and also limited access and parking areas, where many people usually camp during that weekend, after the Coasts reduced the number of places.
In this sense, the Civil Guard has highlighted that the City Council acted "very well, especially in the organization of traffic." The mayor of Teguise, Oswaldo Betancort, has praised for his part the "effort and dedication" of the police force "in order to ensure that the festivities pass another year without relevant incidents and within the parameters of security and coexistence suitable for an event of this magnitude. Betancort has applauded the "degree of professionalism that each and every one" of the agents treasures and has expressed his "most sincere gratitude".
In this regard, the Civil Guard has stated that "from the point of view of security, of the protection of the rights of people to have a party in order and that everyone enjoys it, compared to last year, this year was perfect, optimal".
