Citizen mobilization in the face of insecurity
A group of more than 300 neighbors from Bellvitge, a neighborhood in Hospitalet de Llobregat, has decided to make his voice heard in a rally to claim more security. The call, promoted by the Workers’ Front, has gathered citizens concerned about the increase in crime that affects their daily lives.
Bellvitge’s situation: a reflection of a wider crisis
Insecurity has become one of the most important concerns among Bellvitge’s neighbors, who see their community degrades due to the presence of criminal groups. Incidents of robberies and aggression have increased, with a special focus on the elderly, which are often easy -to -be. The citizen response has been clear: they will not be left of crossed arms.
Specific actions to restore security
In addition to the rally, neighbors have created communication groups through social networks to share information on suspicious activities. Also, some have been organized into urban patrols to monitor the neighborhood and deter possible criminals.
You see that resonate against impunity
During the rally, participants expressed their displeasure with shouts such as “Bellvitge defends themselves” and “it is not racism, there is enough bonism”. These sentences reflect increasing frustration towards the perceived inaction of local authorities in the face of security problems.
Criticism of the migratory model and its influence
The Frente Obrero has stated that living conditions in humble neighborhoods are getting worse due to a migratory model that does not properly address the needs of the community. This has generated areas of the city that are perceived as ‘non-go’, and Bellvitge’s neighbors have joined to defend their space.
A growing trend: citizen patrols
The case of Bellvitge is not unique; Other neighborhoods in Catalonia, such as Salt, Cerdanyola and Mataró, have also experienced an increase in the formation of citizen patrols. This phenomenon reflects a response to the perception that authorities are not fulfilling their responsibility to guarantee public security.
The debate about citizen security
Citizen patrols have been controversial, with local authorities that argue that the responsibility for security is in the order forces. However, the growing citizen participation in the monitoring of the neighborhoods can be seen as an indicator of the institutional failure when it comes to protecting its citizens.
An uncertain future but determined
Bellvitge’s neighbors have decided that they will not be overcome by fear. Its mobilization is an example of how communities can be organized to deal with crime and regain control of their neighborhoods. What is happening in Bellvitge could be only the principle of a wider movement in Catalonia that seeks to restore security and coexistence in spaces that are increasingly affected by violence and insecurity.