Residents Raise Concerns Over Overnight Encampment
Residents living near the intersection of Joan Maragall and Sant Joan Baptista streets in Girona’s Eixample district have reported ongoing disturbances caused by people sleeping overnight in a plaza adjacent to a supermarket. Since early September, locals have documented individuals using mattresses, blankets, and personal belongings in the space, with complaints of shouting, public drinking, substance use, and urination. One resident said they had called emergency services after observing a person whose condition raised concerns about their health. Others report disrupted sleep, with one considering moving and another opting to sleep on the back side of their home to avoid noise.
Cleanliness and Safety Challenges Persist
The area is frequently left littered with cans, bags, and debris each morning. Photographs provided by residents show damaged benches and scattered waste over several days in September. The city confirms repeated police calls related to the site. Municipal sources state that the individuals involved are known to social services and have been offered support through Girona’s street outreach team and public shelters. However, officials confirm these offers have been declined, limiting the city’s ability to intervene. Under current protocols, municipal police cannot force someone off the street unless there is an incident involving public order or crime. Each morning, city staff request those present to remove their belongings as part of an internal anti-homelessness protocol. The cleaning service Girona +Neta is then activated to sanitise the area.
New Civic Agents Programme to Launch This Month
The city plans to deploy six new civic agents by the end of October as part of a 12-month pilot programme aimed at improving coexistence in areas with high perceived insecurity. The initiative, coordinated with the Municipal Employment Service and operating from Can Burrassó police station, will focus on community mediation and proximity presence during evening hours. While not replacing police or social services, these agents will complement existing efforts. The Ajuntament de Girona has indicated this plaza could become a focus point if voluntary relocations do not occur. Further details on the programme are available via the Ajuntament’s official notice.
More Barcelona coverage on Barna.News: New SARA Centre Opens in Eixample for Gender Violence Victims.
Primary sources: eb.girona.cat. Reported by diaridegirona.cat, Diari de Girona.
