Heading into her second year in office, Gladis de León approaches her new responsibilities leading the City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife with optimism and a strong desire to bring about positive change. Having previously overseen other council departments in past terms, she now heads three crucial yet distinct areas: Citizen Security and Emergencies, Equality and Diversity, and the Anaga district. “This period has been a learning curve. Now it’s time to determine what actions to take in each field,” the councillor explains.
-How do you evaluate your first year managing these three diverse areas?
“The focus of this first year has been on understanding the current situation and ongoing efforts in each area. In Anaga, it involves daily enhancements and showcasing the district’s offerings, which have expanded with more bathing areas, necessitating increased attention to interconnected issues such as security, as seen in Los Charcos in Valleseco. As for Local Police, it’s a vast area with numerous requirements. The positive aspect is that I now have a clear understanding of the Force’s status and the necessary measures to enhance it. In terms of Equality and Diversity, we aim to significantly step up our campaigns for the upcoming year.”
-What are the anticipated needs to be addressed within the Local Police department?
“The primary challenge is the insufficient number of police officers in the city. Currently, we have a workforce of approximately 370 officers, with 40 recruits set to join soon, but the plan is to proceed with announcing pending positions at the beginning of next year to boost the officer count and restore order. In the Local Police, a critical issue is the officer shortage. This is expected to be rectified with the influx of more personnel, along with the reinforcement of administrative procedures currently underway. Recognizing that a significant part of administrative tasks is being handled by police officers, which is not their primary responsibility due to staff shortages, modifications to the staff structure are being planned to include administrative and technical roles. This step will streamline the police operations. In addition, a major refurbishment of the police headquarters is in progress and slated for completion by year-end.”
-Will this strategic move lead to a higher presence of officers on the streets?
“The objective is to reach a headcount of 550 police officers, covering various ranks, services, and agents. Once this objective is achieved, the focus will shift to enhancing planning and organisation to ensure a more visible street presence of officers. They are putting in a tremendous effort given the current circumstances, and the officers have a genuine fondness for the city. It saddens me when there are negative remarks about the Force because I believe their dedication should be acknowledged. Given the staffing shortage and disorganized structure, there’s a limit to what can be expected. Consequently, 40 new recruits are projected to join this year, alongside planned recruitments in 2025. Despite challenges, we have a highly capable police force that is well-trained.”
-Is the current figure the ideal number?
“Ideally, the city would have 600 police officers. Hence, the mayor recently urged the Spanish Government at the Canary Islands Parliament to eliminate the replacement rate policy that has been hindering the Force. This policy, which has been effective in other sectors, has not been advantageous for the police, as we can’t be dependent on one officer retiring for another to be recruited. This dynamic has negatively impacted the Force, leading to a lack of replacements due to inadequate future planning and slow recruitment processes. The ongoing strive is to create new positions and bolster the Force with more personnel.”
-Given the shortage of police officers, how are bathing areas managed during the summer?
“In the summer, the police reinforcement, along with Civil Protection and the Red Cross, is supplemented with additional services due to the limited workforce. Moreover, police officers take vacations during this season, and with expanding bathing areas, ensuring coverage becomes challenging. However, efforts are made to monitor all regions, including a permanent patrol in Los Charcos, as well as officers stationed at Las Teresitas, El Bloque, and the beaches of Anaga. This coastal surveillance complements city monitoring, especially during weekends with frequent leisure activities, necessitating police presence. Despite the progress made in attending to the coast, city, and neighbourhoods, there is still extensive work to be done.”
-Another pressing issue is the limited police resources, exemplified by the recent incident involving 12 malfunctioning motorcycles…
“Currently, six motorcycles are awaiting repair out of the police fleet’s total of 18. While finalizing the new contract with the service provider, an additional six new motorcycles will be added. We also ensure a regular update of vehicles through a leasing arrangement. Presently, there are 21 patrol cars, and procurement processes are underway for a van for the Reporting Unit and another for the Canine Unit. Plans are also in motion to acquire new radios, with the finalisation of a contract for new uniform attire, amounting to €325,000. Furthermore, a tender is being prepared to purchase more Taser pistols, delayed due to a shortage of technicians, who are expected shortly to expedite these contracts. This delay is linked to the imminent computerisation of management operations to streamline bureaucratic processes.”
-Is the Drone Unit fully operational?
“Yes, the Drone Unit comprises police officers from various operational groups trained to operate drones. These drones are used on request and in specific scenarios, such as monitoring the San Juan festival in Los Charcos and Las Teresitas. Additionally, they were recently utilised to assess traffic queues and patterns during pilot tests for the bus lane to the beach. Plans are underway to procure an additional drone next year.”
-Concerning the Anaga district, especially the rural park, what improvements are in the pipeline?
“Anaga, despite its beauty, is constrained by its existing infrastructural limitations dictated by the terrain and rural landscape. With the surge in social media, attracting visitors seeking picturesque spots, the park has become congested, causing inconvenience to residents. However, tourism also benefits local businesses. Restrictions on entry could adversely impact many restaurants. This overcrowding often leads to impassable and disorderly situations, especially concerning parking. To address this, a new contract has been approved to enhance rural infrastructure, allocating €2 million for road maintenance and €650,000 for pathways, focusing on public spaces due to numerous easements.”
-The Cabildo has introduced a mobility plan for the rural park. Will this help alleviate the situation?
“The mobility plan initiated by the Cabildo aims to mitigate the issues experienced in the rural park. This study, designed to tackle the challenges in managing visitor influx, is expected to have a positive impact on the overall situation in the park, benefiting both residents and tourists alike.”
Improving Mobility in Anaga
The current focus of the Council’s efforts in Anaga is on enhancing public transportation services in the upper region of the area. The City Council has previously increased bus services during holidays or summer, but is now contemplating the introduction of on-demand transport. This system would allow individuals requiring occasional transport to places like the doctor or for errands, to call and schedule a pick-up. This initiative, within the Council’s realm of action, is expected to enhance the mobility of residents.
-Would you support the implementation of the eco-tax in Anaga?
Expressing support for the eco-tax as a means to regulate natural spaces, it could serve as a useful method of access control and regulation. In many cities around the world, various fees are charged for entry to different locations, which could prove beneficial for managing footfall. Introducing a quota system for park entries, similar to other locations, could be considered. Additionally, enhancing shuttle bus services, like the existing one connecting Taganana and Almáciga, could offer alternative transportation solutions.
-Identifying District Needs
Addressing deficiencies in communication and mobility in the upper areas is essential to retain residents within the hamlets. Efforts are underway to improve facilities by establishing new sports centres in San Andrés, Taganana, and María Jiménez, along with enhancing infrastructure like rainwater connections and LED lighting in various Anaga neighbourhoods. Initiatives are pending from the Cabildo to resolve issues such as the Cidemat repair, which will unify coastal stretches between El Bloque and Los Charcos, whilst addressing accessibility concerns in the region to enhance connectivity.
-Outlook for Las Teresitas Post PGO-05 Reforms
The potential addition of a small hotel in Las Teresitas post the PGO-05 reforms could significantly benefit Anaga by generating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy. Introducing tourism in a controlled manner not only enhances accessibility but also fosters economic growth and improves the overall environment, presenting a positive outlook for the region.
-Tram Extension to the Beach Possibility
An extension of the tram service all the way to the beach would be a remarkable solution to address the current mobility challenges faced by Anaga. A coastal tram line, operating independently, would offer a seamless transportation option, providing accessibility, eco-friendliness, speed, and other benefits for the beach neighbourhoods, marking a substantial improvement in the region.
-Advocating for Equality and Affective-Sexual Diversity
Recognising the urgent need for increased efforts in promoting equality and affective-sexual diversity, especially in light of concerning statistics on victims. Despite numerous campaigns, resources, and awareness programmes, gender-based violence persists, necessitating a deeper commitment to visibility and education. Upholding fundamental rights, regardless of sexual orientation, is paramount, and campaigns and activities promoting diversity and equality will be intensified to combat regressive trends and foster a more inclusive society.
