170 Officers, Canine Unit, Drones, and Civil Protection: Sant Joan's Operation for the Santa Faz

The Town Hall of Sant Joan d'Alacant will launch a security operation for the Santa Faz 2025, which will take place from the evening of Wednesday, April 30th, until the night of Sunday, May 4th. A total of 170 police officers will participate, working in shifts to ensure 60 daily services on the two key days, Thursday, May 1st, and Sunday, May 4th, when the largest crowds are expected. Additionally, 20 services are scheduled for Friday, May 2nd, and 30 services for Saturday, May 3rd.

These units will primarily manage traffic, including entry and exit routes to the town and access to the Sant Joan Hospital, as well as security within the fairgrounds, located within the municipal boundaries of Sant Joan, where anti-terrorism barriers will be used.

Furthermore, for the second consecutive year, the Aerial Media Unit will be deployed, using drones to monitor traffic, crowd flows, and area security. Last year, they were used for the first time and proved highly effective, especially in crowd control, as the aerial view allowed officers to be dispatched in advance to necessary locations.

Another notable contribution is the Canine Unit, available on Thursday, May 1st, and Sunday, May 4th, with a security dog to handle disturbances and fights. The operation is completed by Sant Joan's Civil Protection, with 15 volunteers spread over the different days to support police efforts.

This entire team will be supported by a Campaign Medical Device for first aid, along with three ambulances and a rapid intervention vehicle for Thursday and Sunday, one ambulance for Friday afternoon, and another ambulance throughout Saturday. A Violet Point will also be set up to provide assistance to women in need, offering immediate attention and support to those experiencing harassment or aggression.

The commanders of the Sant Joan Local Police and Emergencies participated on April 23rd in the coordination meeting of the Government Subdelegation with representatives from the National Police, Civil Guard, Unit Attached to the Valencian Community (National Police), and other local police forces, such as those from Alicante and El Campello, as well as the Department of Health, the Provincial Coastal Service, and the Red Cross. The Sant Joan d'Alacant Local Police will also be integrated into the Preventive Command Post of the Emergency Service and Security Forces of the Alicante City Council.

The Santa Faz 2025 event coincides with the May 1st holiday and is also a Jubilee Year, which is expected to attract more pilgrims than in previous years.

On another note, the street market managed annually by the Sant Joan Town Hall will feature a similar number of stalls as in 2024. The Department of Public Space Occupation has approved the application for 119 non-sedentary sales stalls, the same as the previous year, although some of these stalls will expand in size, fully occupying the available space on Alicante Avenue, the access road from the hamlet to the urban center of Sant Joan.

This traditional market will offer stalls selling food (with typical sweets), dining, ice cream, churros, religious articles, accessories, jewellery, crafts, leather goods, textiles, ceramics-pottery, and silverware.