Alicante to Increase Police Surveillance in Party Areas

The City Council will increase police surveillance in Alicante's party areas. The measure is planned as part of the implementation of the Acoustically Saturated Zones (ZAS) in the city centre. However, in response to questions from TodoAlicante, spokesperson Manuel Villar explained that this proposal is already being implemented.

The spokesperson also made it clear that the processing of the ZAS around Castaños will continue. This is despite the fact that the council has won the appeal against the ruling that required measures to be taken against noise for violating fundamental rights. "In the plenary session, it was clear that besides a ruling to comply with, there was a problem of coexistence with noise, so we are only going to maintain a stance we have already expressed," Villar highlighted.

This proposal to increase police surveillance is included in the drafting of the ZAS which is currently open for public consultation. During this period, it is expected that city entities and associations will submit objections. However, Alroa has insisted over the past few weeks that they have been demanding such measures from the council for years to prevent late-night gatherings in the city centre streets. Traders also claim that it would curb uncivil behaviours such as urinating in the street or vandalism.

Villar explained that despite the court ruling that exempts them from taking measures, they will maintain their proposal, awaiting any modifications that may arise during the objection period.

The councillor explained that some of the measures proposed in the ZAS came into effect immediately after the Government Board approved the regulations. The text states that the suspension of the processing of licenses and permits for outdoor seating is immediately applicable. Villar stated that among these measures, there are others already being implemented, such as "increasing the police presence."

With the current drafting of the ZAS, bars, pubs, and restaurants in the city centre must close at 1 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of public holidays between Portal de Elche and Castaños Street, as well as in the Old Town. Nightclubs, on the other hand, will close at 3 a.m. From Sunday to Monday, the closing time is brought forward by half an hour for bars (to 12:30 a.m.) and remains at 1 a.m. for nightclubs.

These hours will not apply during Hogueras or special festivities such as Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Night of the Kings. A municipal decree will determine the opening times on these dates. For the summer season, the hours are slightly extended by half an hour, allowing the occupation of public spaces with tables and chairs from 8 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., with all outdoor furniture required to be completely removed by 12:30 a.m.

Not only that. The ZAS also includes halving the terraces in the designated area according to the license granted to each establishment, which must be cleared by midnight. No new licenses will be granted for public space occupation or for new businesses related to catering or nightlife: bars, restaurants, pubs, or nightclubs, among other activities affected by the regulation.