In the heart of Tenerife’s capital, neighbours of the Cruz del Señor are voicing their frustration over the chaotic situation that has been unfolding for weeks. The issue stems from the growing number of individuals congregating daily around the church square, aiming to establish an illegal market for selling items that, as claimed by the accusers, have been scavenged from the rubbish.
Local inhabitants and business owners in the bustling Santacrucero neighbourhood have informed DIARIO DE AVISOS that “the situation is becoming unbearable as these individuals are using the walls of the surrounding planters to showcase their unregulated merchandise.”
Moreover, aggrieved parties argue that “this problem has been exacerbated by the continuous influx of new faces who join in on the activity at the square every day. Additionally, there are others engaging in drug peddling and begging.”
Neighbours report that “the Municipal Police have intervened on multiple occasions and penalised street vendors, but patrols have not been seen in the area for a long time. This lapse has attracted more passers-by, including many homeless individuals, who have now claimed their spot and are creating a situation of complete insecurity.”
Increased Police Presence
Consequently, the discontented residents of Cruz del Señor are requesting enhanced patrols by municipal officers in the vicinity and, furthermore, “the confiscation of the goods being sold to deter these individuals from returning.”
The communal issues in this vibrant neighbourhood of Santa Cruz compound those experienced in other parts of the city, such as Salamanca Street. Residents there have repeatedly raised concerns about the ongoing presence of drug addicts and intoxicated individuals who solicit alms, largely due to the proximity of the methadone facility.
