Tacoronte Residents Demand Action Over Long-Standing Diogenes Syndrome Case
Residents of Tacoronte are demanding urgent municipal and judicial intervention to address public health and safety concerns caused by a neighbor suffering from Diogenes syndrome.
The management of severe mental health cases has become a major point of debate in Tacoronte following a recent protest by local residents. According to Diario de Avisos, 256 people living in the town center have formally asked the local government to address a long-standing issue involving a neighbor with Diogenes syndrome. The situation, which dates back to 2008, has reached a breaking point, with residents claiming it is now a threat to public health and community safety.
The individual involved is a woman with a 65% disability and a diagnosis of paranoia. Her case highlights the difficult balance between protecting personal privacy, administrative limitations, and the need for legal intervention. During a meeting with Mayor Sandra Izquierdo and Social Welfare head José Caro, residents described unsanitary conditions and ongoing tension on the Carretera General. Because the woman refuses help, her family is now seeking legal incapacitation to ensure she receives the medical care and housing support she needs.
Councilman José Caro explained that the local government is legally restricted from intervening in a citizen’s personal autonomy, as such decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the courts. The City Council has already submitted a report from the Local Police to the La Laguna courts, asking the judiciary to determine the next steps regarding the residents' complaints.
This case reflects a common struggle in local administration: the difficulty of providing social services when they clash with an individual's right to refuse help, especially without a court order for involuntary care. While the woman's family feels abandoned by the system—citing previous dismissed complaints and a lack of clear solutions—the City Council maintains that it has exhausted all available administrative options. The recent meeting, which the woman herself attended, underscored the frustration of a neighborhood dealing with pests and safety concerns, now calling for better coordination between municipal authorities and the judicial system.