PALMA HAS A NEW GANG AND STREET DRINKING POLICE UNIT

The main objectives of the new patrol will be to keep an eye on the city's growing gang problem and also get tough on street binge drinking, the infamous “botellon”, which now the sun is starting to shine is about to rear its ugly head again. “Citizen security is absolutely vital for any government, be it national, regional or local,” Isern proclaimed yesterday.
Botellon has been the scourge of the city for many years and few councils have succeeded in getting a grip on the activity which is essentially illegal.

But after years of all night street parties along Palma's emblematic sea front in front of the five star hotels, Isern is not prepared to allow the street parties to continue this summer, hence a unit to patrol them.

At the same time, there has also been an increase in violent activity between gangs of South American youths which the mayor also believes merits special police attention. “The role of this unit is to get close to the general public and play an important role in the day-to-day life of the city and its residents,” Isern explained.

The new unit will also be carrying out regular drug and alcohol checks and also cracking down on illegal street vendors.
The unit will also be on hand to respond to any particular problems in Palma's various districts. “The new model of the Local Police will make it more efficient and more capable of looking after the general public,” Isern said.