Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni has called for stronger security measures, including more police and tougher prison sentences, after a second fatal shooting in less than a month in the Marina de Port neighbourhood.
Speaking on 3Cat on Tuesday, Collboni linked the incidents to drug trafficking and organised crime, and said the issue goes beyond the city council. He argued that stricter penalties for gun possession and drug trafficking are needed to stop criminal gangs from settling in Catalonia.
Collboni also pointed to earlier action against repeat offenders, saying those measures had produced positive results. He said thefts fell by 20% in the first quarter of this year, which he cited as evidence that tougher enforcement can work.
The Catalan government has also raised concerns. Interior Minister Núria Parlon said on Monday that she would meet Barcelona City Council after the Pope's visit to discuss ways to strengthen security. She said reinforcing the Kanpaia plan in the Zona Franca area could be a useful tool.
Barcelona City Council has sought to reassure residents. Raquel Gil, councillor for the Sants-Montjuïc district, said the shootings are linked to organised crime vendettas and not to neighbourhood tensions. She said security would be increased with more Mossos d'Esquadra and Guàrdia Urbana officers in the area.
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