23-August-2010
The Town Council takes actions to reduce antisocial behaviour
The arrival of tourist to Cala Rajada during the summer months leads to measures to avoid possible conflicts and antisocial behaviours. Therefore, The Capdepera Town Council has taken measures to inform tourists about activities that are currently banned and punishable. .
On the one hand, the Capdepera Local Police has been working for years to implement the ordinance that bans the use of glass bottles and music players on the beaches. The most conflictive site due to the number and profile of the people is the beach of cala Agulla. In the two entrance points, the main access roundabout and the car park in the pine forest, there is an explanatory poster informing visitors that they are not allowed to bring glass nor music to the beach. In both sites, there are police officers that inform and seize the bottles and players.
The surveillance of the beaches is also conducted with the collaboration of other municipal workers who call the police if they see a music player. The officers will then seize it and store it in the station. If the citizen wants to recover it he or she must pay the fine. To be efficient, the beach bars can not sell glass bottles nor play loud music. .
Even though the ordinance has been in force for several years more efforts are being made toenforce it.
According to the Local Police most of the offenders are tourists who ignore the regulations. Furthermore, the months of June and August are more problematic because the average tourist is younger while August and September are quieter. We expect the number of offenses to decrease in time due to an increased awareness.
During June and July, the Local Police cycling unit has intervened in 5 sun glass peddling and 10 fruit selling reports, 7 reports of radio cassette players on the beach, one of a megaphone, one of a glass beer bottle and 7 reports of public occupation, among other reports.
On the other hand, to inform the tourist once they arrive to Capdepera, The Department of Environment has distributed leaflets in the hotels informing about banned activities on the beach and in public spaces. The objective of the leaflets is to avoid fines due to lack of information and to achieve the collaboration of visitors in maintaining the municipality clean, quiet and in optimal conditions.
The Department of Environment has a green unit that sees to the compliance of the regulations, such as the cleaning, rubbish and waste ordinances and the pet and potentially dangerous animal ordinances. In 2009 they held 37 inquiries and 34 have been held until July 2010.
On public spaces the main cause of sanctions was the improper consumption of alcohol. In Capdepera it is forbidden to drink alcohol on the street expect in bar and restaurant terraces and on fair and festival dayse.
To avoid alcohol consumption the Town Council monitors shops selling alcohol, main 24-hour shops.
All shops must meet the regulations including an up-to-date and appropriate license, a poster stating that the sale of alcohol to minors is forbidden and a visible sign with the opening hours. On the other hand, if police officer see someone drinking alcohol on the street they will proceed to seize the beverage.
