Barcelona City Council has approved new measures to tackle rising crime rates. These include stricter penalties for illegal weapons and drug trafficking. The unanimous decision on Wednesday follows several fatal shootings across the city. These incidents link to organised criminal groups.
The municipal presidency commission approved four propositions. The Socialist Party of Catalonia (PSC), Junts, Barcelona en Comú, and Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) presented these. These proposals seek to address a recent surge in criminal activity. Two people died on Calle Mineria. Another person died on Calle Balmes. These incidents associate with alleged score-settling between gangs.
Tougher Penalties for Weapons and Drugs
The PSC proposed increasing prison sentences for illegal weapon possession. This would raise them from two years to five years. Additionally, the party called for sentences for large-scale cannabis cultivation and trafficking to rise. The current range is one to three years. They want it to be six to nine years. This change aims to prevent accused individuals without prior records from avoiding prison time. Barcelona en Comú also suggested reforming the Penal Code, according to Mossos d’Esquadra. This reform would cover illegal weapon possession and trafficking penalties.
Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor for Security, highlighted the disparity in current sentencing. "The penalty regime is significantly lower than in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy," Mr Batlle observed. He warned that without reform, Barcelona risks becoming a "drug exporting and producing country and a recipient of crime." Mr Batlle also noted Barcelona's geographical position. It makes the city "vulnerable" as an entry point between Africa and Europe for criminal networks. He criticised the "trivialisation" of recreational cannabis use. He stated it "has generated an environment conducive to drug trafficking."
Targeting Neighbourhood Security
Marc Serra from Barcelona en Comú questioned the PSC's proposal for cannabis penalties. He considered it "inconsistent" for the sentence for cultivating cannabis to be "higher than for hard drugs, such as synthetic drugs, cocaine, or heroin." Mr Serra suggested this could cause organised groups to shift from trafficking one substance to another. He also called for investment in "more intelligence and material resources" to dismantle organised gangs. Mr Serra pointed out that a previous shooting occurred "during the Pope's visit, when Barcelona had the most agents, and in front of a police station, meaning police presence is not enough to prevent organised crime."
Junts requested the City Council present a plan with extraordinary security measures. These would be for areas affected by recent gun incidents. They also called for a "permanent and immediate reinforcement of police presence" in the La Marina and Sants-Montjuïc neighbourhoods. Jordi Martí, Junts president in the council, stated Barcelona faces a "serious insecurity crisis" due to the shootings. "We have not suffered homicides, but cold-blooded murders, executions, very serious fights, hitmen operating in La Marina and Balmes, youth gangs, and highly violent fights and major robberies in Diagonal Mar and Sarrià," Mr Martí listed. He emphasised that these incidents "even happened at times when police concentration in the city was historic due to the Pope's presence."
Integral Action for Poble-sec and La Marina
ERC's proposition also received approval. It focuses on an integral action plan for insecurity and coexistence issues in the Poble-sec and La Marina neighbourhoods. This plan includes monitoring tables. It also involves deploying civic agents and teams to assist people consuming drugs on the street. It covers the recovery of degraded spaces. Reinforced neighbourhood police patrols are also part of the plan. It includes mapping critical points for crime and drug sales identified by residents. The plan aims to deepen the fight against drug trafficking.
Additionally, ERC urged the Generalitat to construct 250 planned homes in La Marina. These homes would include reservations for local residents, individuals under 35, and single-parent families. The proposal also seeks to expand 'Housing First' model places. This offers shelter to people sleeping rough.
Debate on Effectiveness and Local Impact
The proposals sparked a debate among political groups. This concerned the effectiveness of increased police presence versus broader integral measures in Sants-Montjuïc. Jordi Coronas from ERC argued that "an integral plan would be more effective than repeating that more police and a tougher penal code are needed." Neus Munté of Junts agreed on the need for stable frameworks. However, she stressed that "there must not only be meetings, but the Guardia Urbana and the Mossos d’Esquadra must have a more real presence." Jess González from Barcelona en Comú questioned the City Council's role in addressing street degradation. "No strategy will be effective without social, preventive, and community measures," Ms González asserted.
Raquel Gil, Sants-Montjuïc Councillor for the PSC, confirmed the need for "Guardia Urbana and Mossos presence." This would restore a sense of security in La Marina and Poble-sec. She highlighted visible interventions. She mentioned the dismantling of a fourth "narcopiso" (drug flat) in the area in recent weeks. "The presence of drugs is one of the concerns residents of Poble-sec express," Ms Gil stated. She acknowledged that overall crime statistics have decreased. However, the two recent fatal shootings "have increased the feeling of insecurity." Ms Gil also referred to "robberies and confrontations with residents." She attributed these to occupants of a recently vacated squat. This "generated a feeling of helplessness and resident mobilisations."
The City Council's approval signals a multi-pronged approach to Barcelona's crime challenges. Political parties debate the balance between law enforcement and social interventions. The focus remains on enhancing public safety and addressing the root causes of criminal activity. The implementation of these measures will determine their impact on the city's neighbourhoods and residents.
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Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
