Extensive Police Deployment for Elda and Petrer Moors and Christians Festivities

On Monday, May 5th, the Local Security Board of Elda and Petrer convened in the Elda Town Hall's Plenary Hall, presided over by Mayor Rubén Alfaro, to establish the extraordinary security measures for the Moors and Christians festivities in both towns.

The security operation in Elda will involve over 400 services from the Local Police and Civil Protection between Wednesday, May 28th, and Monday, June 2nd, in addition to 417 services from the National Police. Petrer's Local Police will deploy a total of 35 officers, with additional support from a sub-group of the National Police's Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR).

The Mayor of Elda, Rubén Alfaro, explained that "cooperation is always absolute among all the Forces. We are well-practiced in this, and we have citizens who know how to enjoy themselves while ensuring everyone's safety. The collaboration of volunteers from the Petrer Festivities Union and Elda's Central Board, as well as the various troupes, is also invaluable."

The Elda mayor emphasized "the commitment of public institutions, the Town Halls, and the Spanish Government in combating gender violence. We will continue to maintain the violet points and work together to fight against the scourge of gender violence. Regardless of enjoying our festivities, we must not forget to respect each other's freedoms."

Regarding the amount of gunpowder to be used in the festivities of both towns, approximately 1,300 kilos will be used in Petrer and 1,100 kilos in Elda. There is also an increase in the number of shooters in both municipalities, with improvements in courses for new arquebusiers and better control over the distribution and use of gunpowder.

The Mayor of Elda highlighted that "in this identity-defining exercise, such as the arquebus acts, safety continues to improve, in collaboration with the impeccable work of the Elda Civil Guard's Weapons Intervention, which has successfully conveyed the importance of complying with regulations and common sense to the festivity participants."

During the meeting, security data for the cities of Elda and Petrer were also presented, "showing a 5% decrease according to the Ministry of the Interior. We are very satisfied with the work done by the National Police, both local police forces, and the rest of the State Security Forces, and we must congratulate all public workers for their efforts."

Meanwhile, Nieves indicated that "both populations will experience a significant moment of festivity and tradition, but security is also crucial, and it is essential to coordinate all efforts for the security operation, involving the National Police, the Civil Guard's Weapons Intervention, and the National Police Unit attached to the Autonomous Police."

Finally, the Government's sub-delegate expressed his hope that "everyone enjoys the festivities safely, both the residents of Elda and visitors to both towns, especially women. We are concerned and interested in ensuring that we have celebrations free from violence against women."

The meeting also included the participation of the Government's sub-delegate in the province of Alicante, José Antonio Nieves; the Mayor of Petrer, Irene Navarro; Elda Town Hall's Councillor for Citizen Security, Silvia Ibáñez, and Petrer Town Hall's Councillor for the same area, Fernando Díaz.

In addition to the heads of the Local Police of Elda and Petrer, the meeting was attended by the commissioner and chief inspector of the Elda-Petrer National Police, the chief inspector of the Generalitat Police's attached unit, the commander of the Ibi Civil Guard Company, and the head of Elda's Weapons and Explosives Intervention.