Santa Cruz Carnival Boosts Security with 1,550 Staff, New Tech

Santa Cruz Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez and Javier Plata, the Government Sub-delegate for Tenerife, led a meeting of the Local Security Board this morning. They discussed the detailed plans for emergencies, public transport, security, traffic, and other public services needed for the huge Santa Cruz Carnival. Mayor Bermúdez stressed that "while there's a big security operation for the Carnival, it's still vital that everyone shows the good behavior and tolerance our most international festival is known for."

The Mayor pointed out that this year's Carnival will feature new technology to help security forces work together, along with more video surveillance cameras. These cameras, linked to the Advanced Command Post (PMA), are designed to be visible and effective in the main Carnival area, known as the Carnival Quadrilateral. The goal is for the combined presence of officers from all State Security Forces, Canarian Police, and Local Police to deter any bad behavior.

The Mayor also confirmed that Local and National Police drone teams will continue to be used for prevention. This will be in addition to street security cameras, particularly on smaller roads. He added that the Local Security Board meeting covered all aspects of public transport, cleaning, public services, health services, and, naturally, Carnival security.

"Representatives from various state security forces and bodies, including the Port Police, Canarian Police, National Police, Civil Guard, and Local Police, as well as other institutions, took part," the Mayor explained. They met to review the special security plan for the Carnival. He confirmed that a total of 1,550 staff will be involved across all services, with 1,160 of these being security force agents. This deployment includes teams brought in from Gran Canaria and mainland Spain.

Javier Plata, the Government Sub-delegate, noted that "the Carnival is a huge event that needs exceptional management for everything happening daily in venues and on city streets." He specified that about 620 National Police officers and roughly 250 Civil Guard personnel will be on duty. He clarified that "these are approximate numbers, and additional resources, specifically from Madrid's Police Intervention Unit (UIP), will be brought in from mainland Spain to boost security for all major events."

Plata added that security forces will also be present at the Carnival Hospital, the PMA, and the usual Red Cross-covered area. National and Local Police booths will be set up across the Carnival Quadrilateral. He praised the many years of experience that have helped improve and strengthen operations with new units. He also highlighted that "this year, the fair in the port area will have a joint, sector-specific operation involving both the National Police and Civil Guard."

The Mayor, the Government Sub-delegate, and police commanders reviewed how they will coordinate and divide responsibilities to handle any situation at the fair. This includes setting up a permanent Local Police post in a booth near the Tenerife Island Council headquarters and integrating Civil Guard representatives into the Carnival Hospital's PMA.

The Government Sub-delegate echoed the Mayor's call for public cooperation, stating that "security at a huge event like the Carnival is everyone's responsibility." Javier Plata emphasized that the plan discussed today is "well-structured and integrated, yet also flexible enough to reassign resources or handle unexpected situations, thanks to the preparedness of all security forces."

The Local Security Board also reviewed all the details regarding the extensive public transport services and capacity provided by both TITSA (buses) and Metropolitano de Tenerife (trams), with support from Santa Cruz taxis. For the Carnival, all tram units will be running at full capacity, with increased frequency. On street carnival and night dance days, trams will run to Plaza de la Paz. For the Day Carnival, the final stop will be Teatro Guimerá.

TITSA will provide 617 extra bus services across the island, with special pick-up points in areas like San Isidro, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, and Los Cristianos. During the main week of festivities, over 417,000 people are expected to use these services. A large taxi stand will be set up at the lower end of Tres de Mayo Avenue.

Special measures, coordinated with the National Police, will be in place at both the Transport Interchange and Plaza de La Paz to ensure the safety and peace of mind of all bus and tram users. The National Police's Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR) will also monitor tram routes.

The drone teams from the Local and National Police will operate similarly to last year, flying from a base in the center of the Carnival Quadrilateral. This setup will improve efficiency in monitoring large crowds, carrying out preventive tasks, and gathering information for officers patrolling on foot.

These drone teams will also be crucial during key events like the Announcing Parade, the Carnival Coso, the Burial of the Sardine parade, and the daytime carnivals. They will assist with traffic management and guide health services, always linked to the Advanced Command Post (PMA) at the Carnival Hospital. As in previous years, the city council has set up security and emergency service points across the Carnival Quadrilateral.

These booths will be staffed by the Local Police, National Police, Tenerife Firefighters Consortium, and volunteers from the Civil Protection group.

The Department of Equality and Affective Sexual Diversity, led by Security Councilor Gladis León, is stepping up its efforts for the Carnival. They are increasing the number of "Violet" and "Rainbow" Points on the streets to two. One will be next to the Post and Telegraph building in Santa Cruz, and the other inside the Carnival Hospital. Staff at both points will offer prevention, advice, and support for potential aggressions.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez explained that this decision aims to "provide a resource much closer to the public and the main street festival areas, should such an issue arise." In that specific area, this service will be located near a National Police post and an advanced service post set up by Civil Protection volunteers.

Santa Cruz City Council's Civil Protection begins its work today at the Fairgrounds for the competition phase. The Red Cross, under contract, will set up a medical post inside the Fairgrounds with health resources for on-site care. Outside, ambulances will be stationed, and fire department units will be positioned on both sides of the Fairgrounds.

On José Emilio García Gómez street, just outside the Fairgrounds, a small booth will be staffed by volunteers every night. The number of volunteers, ranging from 15 to 20, will vary depending on the scale of the celebrations or competition. Some volunteers even come from other municipalities specifically to help.

Additionally, in Plaza General Gutiérrez Mellado, within the PMA area, there will be a Red Cross Hospital, rest tents for adults and minors, containers for police, fire, and Civil Protection services, and a "Violet Point." Around 200 people will be working on-site here every night, in addition to those deployed across the Carnival Quadrilateral.

The security presence for the Carnival amusement fair in the port area, next to the Los Llanos dock, is also back. The Civil Guard will deploy its drone team, along with about a hundred members daily. This includes personnel from the Fiscal Service, Canine Unit, Reserve and Security Group (GRS), and a Maritime Service patrol boat for the sea.

The Civil Guard's Traffic Group will also carry out preventative checks for alcohol and drug use among drivers at the city's main entry points, on both the Northern Highway (TF-5) and the Southern Highway (TF-1).

The Port Police will manage internal port traffic and oversee the Amusement Fair. They will assign dedicated staff to these duties, maintaining a constant presence in the area. They will also ensure that pedestrians use the designated walkways correctly when entering the fair.

The Local Police and Civil Guard contribute the most personnel to Santa Cruz Carnival security. The Local Police alone will have almost 350 officers on duty during the festivities, with a strong presence at security points and booths within the Carnival Quadrilateral.

Their many duties include managing and regulating traffic throughout the Carnival, particularly during key events like the Announcing Parade, the Coso Apoteosis, and the Burial of the Sardine. Beyond general security, the operation also includes specialized agents from the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office, the Women's Attention Group (GRAMU), and the Canine Unit.

Their joint efforts with the National Police will be vital for all competitions and galas at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Fairgrounds. They will also be present in designated work areas alongside the Local Police. Both the Police Intervention Unit (UIP) and the Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR) will have a significant presence on the streets and at public transport hubs like the Interchange and the tram stop in Plaza de La Paz.

In addition to the drone unit, the National Police helicopter will be present during daytime Carnival celebrations. There will also be special surveillance on sea routes between Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Police commanders also confirmed that the Family and Women's Assistance Unit (UFAM) will be involved to support the "Violet Points."

The Tenerife Firefighters Consortium remains committed to Carnival security, covering both Fairgrounds events and street activities. Alongside preventive crews ensuring galas and competitions run smoothly, up to 150 firefighters will be stationed at key points across the Carnival area. Consortium officials stated that personnel from various island fire stations would be available for all events.

For Civil Protection, a daily presence of 35 volunteers from the capital's group is guaranteed. As in previous years, specialized Civil Protection groups from Güímar, Tegueste, Candelaria, El Rosario, La Laguna, La Orotava, and Santiago del Teide have also been asked to help, and more volunteers from other organizations might join.

The Spanish Red Cross will manage all healthcare for Carnival incidents. An average of 120 people will work in these services during the festival's busiest days. The operation includes medical, nursing, and auxiliary staff, plus up to 13 transport health resources, including one advanced life support ambulance.

At the Carnival Hospital, a specialized team of psychologists and social workers will once again collaborate to care for minors, coordinating this vital work to protect young people.

The Carnival Hospital will serve as the central coordinating hub for all Santa Cruz Carnival incidents. This is where the Advanced Command Post (PMA) is located, integrating and facilitating collaboration among all security and emergency services throughout the festivities. This year, with the addition of personnel from the Canarian Police General Corps, the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium, and the Civil Guard, alongside the established link with the Security and Emergency Coordinating Center (1-1-2 Canarias), there will be complete coordination of all Carnival security resources.

Additionally, the Santa Cruz City Council has arranged for approximately 5,000 hours of private security services for various events and street activities.

The heads of Public Services (Carlos Tarife), Mobility (Evelyn Alonso), Urban Planning (Zaida González), and the Department of Festivities (Javier Caraballero) also outlined their respective contributions to the 2026 Carnival celebrations.