A Discreet Surveillance Panorama
In the Alt Penedès, security is presented as a priority for the councils, but the reality is that many small municipalities are left without resources to guarantee the protection of their inhabitants. Of the 23 villages that make up this region, only 9 have some form of municipal surveillance, while the rest depend exclusively on the Mossos d’Esquadra.
Differences in local protection
In a context where only four municipalities, such as Vilafranca and Sant Sadurní, have their own local police, the situation of the other peoples is significantly precarious. For example, Olèrdola and other small nuclei such as Sant Martí Sarroca or Sant Quintí de Mediona have only a municipal guard, which is often not enough to meet the security needs of the population.
The dependence of the Mossos d’Esquadra
The lack of municipal surveillance leads many small villages to trusting the Mossos d’Esquadra. The Mayor of the Cabins, Agustí Vallverdú, states that the response of these agents is quick, although there is a recognized deficit of resources in this area, as noted by the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, in a recent visit.
Singular Case: The Cabins
Cabins, with their proximity to Vilafranca and good road connections, is in a delicate situation. Vallverdú explains that they have no plans to implement municipal surveillance due to lack of resources, although they have installed security cameras to improve protection.
Proposals for the improvement of security
With the intention of improving the situation, the Mayor of Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, Amadeu Parache, suggests a shared security model between neighboring municipalities. This idea arises from the need to increase police presence in the area, a restlessness shared by several mayors.
Alternatives Locals
In Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, the solution has been to hire a night watchman who works in coordination with the Mossos, while in Pacs, with less than 1,000 inhabitants, Mayor Montse Amat emphasizes the effectiveness of this figure, which has improved the sense of security among the neighbors.
The challenge of municipal safety
The security landscape in small municipalities is complex. The mayor of Torrelles de Foix emphasizes that councils often have to assume responsibilities that do not correspond, in a context where the resources are limited and the demand for security is increasing.
A FUTUR INCERT
With the recent incorporation of more municipal guards in Torrelles, neighbors seem to value these efforts positively. However, the need for better coordination and more Mossos d’Esquadra resources is still a hot topic that requires urgent care to guarantee security in the small communities of the Alt Penedès.
