PSOE Criticizes Arona’s Police Management Amid Rising Public Safety Concerns
The Arona Socialist group has criticized the local government’s management of police resources, citing staffing shortages and the underutilization of neighborhood facilities as threats to public safety ahead of the summer season.
Public safety in Arona has become a point of political contention, with the Socialist municipal group (PSOE) questioning the local government’s management of police resources and officer deployment.
Led by former mayor José Julián Mena, the Socialists argue that police facilities in Los Cristianos and El Fraile are not being used effectively. They claim these offices were renovated under the previous administration to decentralize services and improve public access. Currently, the Los Cristianos office has limited hours and only handles lost property, while the El Fraile facility remains largely unused despite the area's high population.
The opposition also warns that the current surveillance model is inadequate for the upcoming summer season. Councilman Francisco Marichal noted that local businesses and residents have reported rising issues with illegal street vending and antisocial behavior in areas like Las Verónicas. These concerns are echoed by police unions, who point to severe staffing shortages that often leave a single patrol responsible for the entire stretch between Los Cristianos and Las Galletas.
In response, the Socialist group is calling on the municipal government to take action on stalled projects, including the construction of a new Local Police headquarters and the installation of security cameras in areas like Cho-Parque La Reina. The PSOE is advocating for a community-focused policing model that prioritizes visibility and prevention, urging the council to quickly hire more officers for the tourist unit to manage the seasonal increase in population.