The Municipal Board of the Bellavista-La Palmera District has greenlit five initiatives to combat street drinking in the Southern Sector, including enhanced daily cleaning and increased night police presence.
Residents of the Southern Sector, in the Bellavista-La Palmera district of Seville, have achieved an initial victory in their fight against street drinking. The Municipal Board of the district approved on Thursday a package of five measures presented by the Puerto de Sevilla Neighbourhood Association, aimed at tackling a problem that has been entrenched in the neighbourhood for years.
Among the most notable initiatives is the daily cleaning of the affected streets, seven days a week, with the commitment that all waste generated by the street drinking will be removed before 08:30 hours. A measure that, according to neighbourhood spokesperson Diego de Caralt, "is a first step, but insufficient if not accompanied by prevention."
Increased police presence and tougher penalties
Another key decision is the increase in the presence of the Local Police in the area between 22:00 and 03:00 hours, with a deterrent aim against gatherings, sound systems, and anti-social behaviour. The officers will act not only to disperse groups but also to identify offenders and apply the penalty regime.
Fines for street drinking can reach 300 euros, while noise disturbances, according to current regulations, can amount to 600 or 750 euros, depending on the severity. The neighbourhood association has reported that nighttime noise levels regularly exceed the limit of 45 dBA established for residential areas, which worsens the quality of life for residents.
Independent audit of Lipasam
The motion also includes the conduct of an independent audit to assess the effectiveness of Lipasam's cleaning service in the Southern Sector. The aim is to determine whether the frequency of service and the resources allocated are sufficient to keep the neighbourhood in optimal conditions, especially during weekends.
According to data provided by the association, municipal services collect around 5,000 kilos of waste each weekend after street drinking events. A figure that, in the opinion of the residents, demonstrates the magnitude of the problem and the need for more robust measures.
Coordination between administrations and residents
The fifth approved measure calls for greater coordination between the Bellavista-La Palmera District, the Local Police, Lipasam, the relevant municipal departments, and the neighbourhood association itself. The intention is to create a smooth communication channel that allows for quicker and more effective action in response to citizen complaints.
Before the session, several residents symbolically gathered at the district headquarters to express their discontent. During the event, the Puerto de Sevilla Neighbourhood Association handed over a 175-page dossier with photographs of various streets in the Southern Sector affected by street drinking, as graphic evidence of the situation.
Diego de Caralt, the neighbourhood spokesperson, criticised the recent statements made by the mayor, José Luis Sanz, considering that they "downplay the seriousness of the problem" and called for a firm commitment from the City Council to eradicate street drinking. "We don't want more promises, we want actions," he asserted.
The approved measures will be implemented immediately, according to district sources, although residents warn that they will be vigilant to ensure compliance. The next step will be the meeting of the monitoring committee, scheduled for a month from now, where the initial results will be evaluated.
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