Arona Opposition Demands Urgent Security Overhaul Following Repeated School Break-ins
The political group Más por Arona is demanding urgent security improvements at CEIP Las Galletas following a series of break-ins, sparking a confrontation with the local government over its responsibility to protect public school facilities.
Security at schools in Arona has become a major political issue following a string of incidents at CEIP Las Galletas. The municipal group Más por Arona reports that the school has been broken into several times recently, with the intruders specifically targeting areas used by early childhood students.
Investigations suggest the school is structurally vulnerable, as people are gaining access by jumping over a perimeter wall that borders a nearby square. Beyond the theft of teaching materials, the opposition group claims these incidents reflect a wider decline in local safety, citing a rise in thefts from shops and homes, as well as reports of residents being intimidated.
This has sparked a clash between the opposition and the local government, led by Mayor Fátima Lemes. The opposition has criticized the Mayor for using jurisdictional boundaries as an excuse to avoid taking action. While public security is technically a state responsibility, the Law on the Bases of Local Government mandates that municipalities must oversee the surveillance of public buildings and coordinate with state security forces. Más por Arona is now calling for the local government to be more proactive.
The group is demanding three specific actions: an increased police presence in the area, improved physical security measures at the school, and better communication between government agencies. They argue that protecting students must be the top priority and have urged the local government to stop being passive about a situation they believe has become intolerable for the community.