The Okupas employ various strategies to ascertain whether a property is vacant and subsequently proceed to occupy it if viable. A group of youths has recently taken over two houses in the El Toscal district, located in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, raising concerns among local residents. They specifically used two techniques: inserting chewing gum into the door locks and placing pieces of paper in the gap between the door and its frame as indicators.
If the gum remains lodged in the lock or the paper does not budge for an extended period, it indicates that the property is unoccupied and may be Okupar. Several local inhabitants noted that they had seen gum or paper on some of the neighbourhood doors, likely placed by these individuals to ensure that two residences, one on El Greeting street and another on Ravina 2 passage, had been empty for a considerable duration.
Both of the houses in a state of neglect have been occupied by this group, which local residents claim acts as a coordinated outfit. Witness accounts imply that it consists of a large number – potentially more than 20.
When the National Police intervened, the squatters responded with a prepared statement to evade legal action. For instance, they asserted that they have petitioned for regulatory approval in Santa Cruz and presented documentation to support their claim, but to date, it has not been granted.
One of the squatters following their occupation of the property on Passage Ravina 2, in the heart of Santa Cruz. / LP/ DLP
The agents who attended this scenario in the capital clarified that they cannot take action as it is private property and a court order is lacking. The only recourse available to the owners is to file a complaint and await the progression of legal proceedings which could prolong indefinitely, as seen in previous cases in the El Toscal area.
This group first occupied a building on El Salud Street, which is abandoned, and whose owners are unknown. On Tuesday night, they occupied another property on Ravina 2 passage, merely 400 metres away, which does have identifiable owners. In fact, the owners of number 10 on Ravina 2 passage were informed on the same Tuesday night that their house had just been Okupada. They were poised to commence renovation works for which they had already secured a municipal permit.
The aforementioned owners have already lodged a complaint with the National Police. In the interim, as the process to reclaim the house unfolds, the Okupas have started to move furniture inside, mainly transporting mattresses and slats, as evidenced in videos captured by local residents of El Toscal, shared with the media. Their activities predominantly occur at night. This Terrera property, having been vacant for over 20 years, is sparsely furnished.
The residence at number 10 on Ravina 2 passage, with a grey façade, has significant structural issues internally, particularly regarding the roof, which the owners intended to repair. The premises’ condition is such that it has electricity but no water, posing risks for the integrity of the Okupas. The ceiling has collapsed, some wooden stairs are severely degraded, and overall the house lacks basic living conditions.
The number 10 property on Ravina 2 passage that has been occupied by a group of youths. / LP/ DLP
Residents of El Toscal are calling for urgent intervention and find it incomprehensible that no action is being taken against such a blatant occupation, especially considering that the property owners were fully aware of the situation as they reside nearby on Ravina Passage 2. Some residents have begun installing alarm systems, as they shared with this publication, due to their “helplessness” in witnessing the ease with which a property can be overtaken.
In addition to the fear that more homes could be occupied – given that there are several vacant properties in Toscal – they are also alarmed by the aggressive and confrontational behaviour of some squatters. On Wednesday night, two of them confronted residents who questioned their actions as they exited the house, and one even brandished a knife.
The police dispatched three vans to the scene and took statements from residents who reported receiving threats but were unable to intervene to evict the squatters, pending a court order permitting such action.
The National Police are currently conducting a investigation in response to the complaints from local residents. Additionally, statements from the Mayor of Chicharrero, José Manuel Bermúdez, have emphasised his demand for an “immediate” response from the national government’s sub-delegation in Tenerife regarding the occupation of the two houses in El Toscal and the aggressive stance of the Okupas, which keeps the neighbourhood in a state of alarm.
«I have asked the sub-delegate for an immediate response because we are not merely addressing the occupation of two houses, but a significant public safety issue,” stated José Manuel Bermúdez, who added that “the incidents that have transpired in El Toscal have generated concern in the community and are serious enough to warrant a decisive response.
National Police agents returned to Passage Ravina 2 on Thursday. They are investigating whether this group, which has Okupado two houses in El Toscal and comprises largely of young individuals of Maghreb origin, is also operating in other areas of the island, and if any of its members were involved in an attempt to occupy another property in Tacoronte that same Wednesday, from which they were expelled by neighbours on Los Perales street.
According to sources consulted by this publication, one member of this group is reportedly under an expulsion order from Spain and none have managed to register in the capital of Tenerife.
