The People's Party (PP) president in Barcelona City Council, Daniel Sirera, has demanded the resignation of the Deputy Mayor for Security, Albert Batlle. Sirera believes Batlle has failed to reverse the insecurity situation in the city, stating, "Barcelona needs safe streets."
Sirera made these comments during the launch of the 'Safe Streets' campaign in the Raval neighbourhood. The PP group plans to extend this initiative to all 10 city districts, presenting its security proposals. Among these suggestions is the creation of mobile mini-offices in areas identified as particularly problematic.
Criticism of Municipal Management
The PP leader criticised the municipal government's management, asserting that Barcelona residents require "a mayor who truly addresses problems." He accused Mayor Jaume Collboni of being "a good mayor on TikTok and social media" but neglecting real issues. Sirera also claimed the executive has normalised the city's insecurity and is "looking the other way."
Sirera called for a significant increase in police presence. He proposed adding 1,000 agents to the Guardia Urbana and 3,000 to the Mossos d'Esquadra. He highlighted that currently, at night, there is only one police officer for every 7,300 people. This figure, he said, halves on weekends, resulting in one officer for every 14,000 citizens.
Calls for Transparency and Increased Protection
Beyond Barcelona, Sirera urged the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, to inform the public if the murder in Esplugues de Llobregat on Saturday was a "jihadist attack." He also raised concerns about the lack of security at the Sagrada Família, especially with the Pope's upcoming visit. These statements reflect a broader call for greater transparency and stronger security measures across Catalonia.
The PP's campaign aims to pressure the municipal government to prioritise public safety. The party intends to continue presenting its proposals and criticisms in districts throughout Barcelona, keeping security at the forefront of the political agenda.
