The Yaiza City Council is working in coordination with state security forces and bodies to intensify surveillance and improve public order in certain areas of Playa Blanca, addressing the concerns raised by residents and merchants at the meeting held last week. The mayor, Óscar Noda, also took advantage of this Thursday's press conference to report on the conclusions and measures proposed at a working group meeting held this Tuesday, November 10, including the reinforcement of police presence at specific points and times, the development of a Municipal Security Plan, and the possible incorporation of private security in public spaces.
The meeting was attended by the insular director of the General State Administration in Lanzarote, Pedro Viera, the Yaiza Councilor for Security, Beatriz Vázquez, the Councilor for Cleaning and Parks and Gardens, Rubén Arca, representatives of the Local Police, Civil Guard, and National Police, as well as the head of the Civil Guard's special intervention group and three representatives of the area's residents and merchants, with the aim of studying joint actions and responding to citizen demands.
Noda explained that the Civil Guard, which has the data and knows the reality of interventions, was very clear in its conclusions and assured that "there is no insecurity problem." The southern mayor acknowledged that what is happening are certain public order situations that must be addressed, which is why he understands the concern of residents and merchants in the area and is aware that a greater police presence also conveys tranquility, "that is why we are working to reinforce surveillance and act where it is really needed."
In this regard, and as head of the Local Police, he recalled that "previous efforts have been made, a lot of meetings have been held, as you may have seen in the press clippings, to try to reinforce security, especially with that special unit, which is where we insist the most."
Regarding the progress and initial measures that have been adopted, the municipal official details that priority action areas have been defined, including the surroundings of the Pagayo Shopping Center, the center of Playa Blanca, the playground, Limones street, and the promenade, paying special attention to the times indicated by commercial sector representatives as those with the highest incidence in order to intensify and coordinate the surveillance rounds of the different security forces, within the organization of their shifts and as long as there are no other emergencies to attend to.
The mayor confirmed that, following new negotiations with the Insular Directorate and the Civil Guard, the first actions by the special intervention group have already taken place, with patrols of three or four agents who have covered these areas during the afternoons of recent days.
Private security and commercial collaboration
Another action proposed at the working group is the incorporation of private security at the entrances to the playground and public restrooms, to prevent the entry of drinks and discourage behaviors that disrupt the normal use of these spaces.
Óscar Noda recalled that private security has limited competencies, mainly related to presence, deterrence, and reporting, as interventions are the responsibility of the Local Police and the Civil Guard, but he understands that it can help improve coexistence and the sense of tranquility, so he committed to carrying out the appropriate negotiations and requesting permits from the Insular Directorate, which is the authorizing body, for the incorporation of two or three agents for this purpose.
In this same vein, the City Council has also requested collaboration from merchants, especially those involved in nightlife, to study the hiring of private security to patrol their premises, in addition to strictly adhering to regulations on noise, capacity, fire prevention measures, and operating conditions of the activity.
The mayor values the commercial sector's willingness to collaborate in finding solutions and emphasizes that “the improvement of public order is a shared responsibility. Administrations must provide the means at our disposal, but we also need the involvement of establishments to foster coexistence and offer the best image of Playa Blanca.”
More officers and a Municipal Security Plan
Among its priorities, the Local Administration maintains the expansion of the Local Police staff, which currently has ten vacant positions. Óscar Noda reported on the steps taken with Public Administration to clarify the legal possibilities of increasing the job offer beyond the five positions initially allowed by the replacement rate, with the aim of filling as many positions as possible with all legal guarantees.
Added to these efforts is the possibility of incorporating two officers through secondment, pending authorization from their home municipalities, and another two officers who are in the process of joining through the unified call.
In terms of equipment and defense resources, the mayor pointed out that the Local Police has deterrent taser guns, protective screens, and is awaiting the receipt of ballistic vests.
Likewise, he indicated that Yaiza will work on drafting a Municipal Security Plan, taking as a reference initiatives developed by other municipalities such as Tías, with the aim of presenting the document to the Local Security Board and advancing in coordinated planning of actions.
Better lighting and a message of reassurance
These security measures will be accompanied by improvements in public lighting, since, as the southern mayor announced, the City Council is about to award a lighting renovation project in the old town of Playa Blanca and is studying reinforcing street lighting in alleys and poorly lit areas by installing additional spotlights.
Óscar Noda concluded by sending a message of reassurance, insisting that there is no security problem and pointing out that "Playa Blanca is a benchmark tourist destination and we must take care of both coexistence and the image we project. We will continue to demand more officers, coordinate available resources, and listen to the demands of residents and merchants to improve everything within our power.”
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