Residents of an Alicante neighbourhood consider organising patrols to combat insecurity

Vandalism, anti-social behaviour, shantytowns, thefts, or illegal car and motorcycle races are some of the security issues that the residents of PAU 2 in Alicante report suffering from, which have worsened in recent months. They believe the situation has been exacerbated by the lack of preventive or deterrent actions by the security forces, leading to an increasing sense of insecurity.

"We are abandoned," stated Miguel Ángel Gracia, president of the PAU 2 Neighbourhood Association. "The City Council and the Local Police are unable to respond on weekends, and the National Police have to intervene," insisted the neighbourhood leader. Therefore, the representative has requested a meeting with the Government Subdelegation. In the document submitted to this institution, they explain the proliferation of behaviours such as the installation of camps, destruction of public furniture, or the distribution and consumption of drugs.

The situation is not new. In October, residents presented documentation on security issues to District Board 3 and demanded the appearance of the Local Police Chief, José María Conesa, in this body. Finally, they explain that the Security Councillor, Julio Calero, attended this body to learn first-hand about the residents' demands.

However, Gracia insists that nothing has changed since then. Not even when they have submitted documents and information about the most problematic points regarding vandalism, the times they usually occur, and other information to tackle the problem. In fact, they believe it has worsened, "creating social alarm." "Some residents are even considering organising patrols in the streets and areas we know are more problematic," stated the neighbourhood leader.

Thus, the residents have demanded a protocol from the National Police, referring to what they describe as "the abandonment by the Alicante City Council", to act in "prevention, action, and communication with the National Police, as well as greater presence of officers in the area, especially during more problematic times."

In a letter addressed to the Alicante Department of Citizen Participation, the PAU 2 Neighbourhood Association proposed improving security, but also other pending demands in the neighbourhood. Among the proposals were the fencing and project of the new park on Corfu Island, the improvement of public transport, or the new Tram Line 6 connecting the neighbourhood with this transport, or the request for a municipal social action table in response to the growing homelessness affecting the neighbourhood.

In their letter, they also requested information on the process of the Vía Parque Reform, improvement of waste collection, or pest control in the area.