Tacoronte, in the north of Tenerife, boasts many charming spots for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Its Plaza del Cristo, the Hamilton Park, and the coast of Mesa del Mar or El Pris are some of the places to discover in such a delightful municipality. That’s why it’s even more surprising to witness the image that can be seen on the Carretera General del Norte as it passes through Tacoronte.
In the heart of the municipality, a home gathers a very large amount of trash at its entrance. The accumulation is so significant that it is already very close to the sidewalk where children, elderly, and pets pass by. Cockroaches and rats freely roam this property in a situation that concerns both the local council and the family of the person living in that house.
The occupant is an elderly person, 68 years old, and as explained by her sister, Dulce Peraza, “she is diagnosed with Diogenes syndrome, schizophrenia, and cancer“. She recounts that it all dates back to 2008 when her sister was admitted to Febles Campos, where she eventually got discharged.
Entrance to a house full of rubbish in Tacoronte / E. D.
Dulce pleads for “urgent help for this situation. We have some premises below the house that we cannot access because the entrance is full of rubbish. She goes out at four in the morning and scavenges through the area’s dumpsters. She bathes in a supermarket’s toilets and has neither light nor water in the house, which is jointly owned due to family inheritance”.
Members of the municipal cleaning service, managed by Urbaser, have encountered her on more than one occasion in different containers in the area.
In the midst of a legal battle to declare the person living in this house unfit. “They’ve seen her sleeping on top of the trash, she’s tried to attack others, and I can no longer talk to her,” says Dulce, who is awaiting the judiciary to acknowledge the reality her sister is facing in this family house. Meanwhile, she seeks help from the Tacoronte City Council to try to do something about the rubbish.
Social Services is working on a report
This situation is well known in the Tacoronte council. The councillor for Social Services, Works and Services, and Personnel, José A. Caro, tells this newspaper that this issue dates back a long time, and they are doing everything possible within the framework governed by the law.
Different reports have been prepared by the Local Police of Tacoronte from this area. Moreover, an officer from the force is currently working on a new report, which will be presented at the San Cristóbal de La Laguna courts, where the ongoing legal process concerning this case is being handled.
José Caro states that, without a judicial order, they cannot enter the property or do anything about the rubbish, despite it being visible from public ground.
Shops and a property for sale
There are numerous shops in the area that are being affected by this situation. Some have banned her entry, leading to the woman suffering from Diogenes syndrome’s anger. “She has gone to the lengths of throwing rubbish outside the premises because they do not let her in,” says Dulce.
Another house adjacent to the rubbish-filled property. This house is up for sale, but anyone visiting can witness the close proximity of this issue. A couple visited not long ago and encountered this problem. “We were informed that some neighbours had lodged complaints about this situation. Even the previous tenant left because they couldn’t stand it anymore.” A concerning circumstance that affects the person living there, the family, and the entire municipality of Tacoronte.
