The Local Police in La Orotava (located in northern Tenerife), in conjunction with the Civil Guard, has managed to evict several occupied residences in the historic centre of the town over the past three months, where some vacant properties have been secured “as a precaution,” according to the Town Hall.
The council states that new strategies are being examined “to enhance safety in the borough,” including the installation of surveillance cameras in certain squares, for which approval has been sought from the Government Subdelegation, it mentions.
The Mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares (Coalición Canaria), alongside the Security Councillor, Narciso Pérez, asserts that for the past three months “the Villa has experienced the occupation of vacant houses by individuals who have caused significant issues related to coexistence”.
The Town Hall mentions that these incidents “have raised concerns, which is why efforts have been made from the outset to eliminate this circumstance in the shortest time possible and to support the most affected residents by providing advice and assistance at all times.”
Linares commends the efforts of the security forces and also acknowledges the cooperation of the local community “so that at the conclusion of this process, the aim could be realised,” although he cautions: “The work does not finish here”.
He further commented that the local authority will implement “new initiatives to bolster security in the borough and to help us prevent such situations from arising again in future.”
In pursuit of this goal, various properties in the historic centre that may be at risk of further occupations are being kept under surveillance, and their proprietors are being contacted to strengthen their safety measures.
In cases where the owners cannot be traced, the council is taking action ex officio by boarding up the premises as a precautionary measure against occupations. However, the council has not disclosed any actions taken or contemplated to evaluate the circumstances of the individuals who have occupied these properties or whether housing alternatives will be made available to them.
The Town Hall has announced another “measure under consideration,” which is the installation of surveillance cameras in some of the town’s squares.
The mayor has also revealed that ten additional officers will be joining the Local Police, with a further seven positions set to be announced next year.
“La Orotava has always been a secure municipality and we will continue to collaborate with the security forces to ensure it remains a safe place,” the mayor emphasised.
