Agents of the Prevention, Mediation and Coexistence Unit (UPMEC) of the Arrecife Local Police have recently intervened in several incidents registered during sports encounters held in municipal facilities.
In one of the activities, the day developed normally at first. However, subsequently, the officers were requested at an adjacent court, where several fans were altering the order from the stands. The rapid police intervention allowed the situation to be redirected and prevented it from escalating into episodes of violence, both verbal and physical.
Minutes later, a new alteration occurred, this time during the match itself between players. The joint action of the agents, together with the collaboration of the technicians from both clubs, allowed controlling the incident and preventing it from escalating.
Although the events were not of major seriousness, UPMEC will continue working with the aim of moving towards zero tolerance against any aggressive behavior in the sports field. Since its creation and deployment by the mayor, Yonathan de León, and in coordination with the Sports Area, led by councilwoman Eli Merino, meetings are being promoted with clubs and federations to encourage strict compliance with current regulations.
In this context, the “Protocol for the prevention of child and youth violence in sports, recreational, leisure and free time environments” of the Arrecife City Council is being disseminated, in line with what is established in the Organic Law for the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence (LOPIVI). This framework promotes the figure of the protection delegate in each club and reinforces preventive, educational, and intervention measures against any conduct that may put minors at risk.
It should be noted that, on many occasions, the agents of this unit carry out their work in sports facilities without wearing a police uniform, with the aim of facilitating prevention and mediation in a closer environment.
