Santa Cruz de Tenerife 4 Feb. (Europa Press) –
The Local Security Board of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has on Tuesday announced the security measures for the winter holiday period which consists of 1,500 personnel, 25 surveillance cameras, and drones to monitor areas of high footfall.
The mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, highlighted that this year brings innovations pertaining to the coordination of security services, “largely due to the new placement of the fairground within the port area and the extensive programming of street events designed to make the carnival more appealing for all demographics.”
An additional significant commitment in terms of security “is the supplementary service provided by drone teams from both the Local Police and National Police for preventive measures, which will enhance video surveillance through the cameras positioned throughout the streets.”
Both the mayor and the government subdelegate, along with police officials, reviewed the coordination and distribution of roles to address any incidents within the fairgrounds. This includes a dedicated station in a booth by the Santacrucera Local Police near the headquarters of the Cabildo, along with the integration of Civil Guard officers into the PMA of the Carnival Hospital.
Another key feature of this year’s Carnival will be the presence of drone units from the Local and National Police.
The Santacrucera Police team will comprise one officer and five agents, utilising flights from their three units, operating from a site located in the heart of the carnival area.
This setup will facilitate enhanced monitoring of significant public gatherings, preventive efforts, and the potential collection of data and information for police units operating in the streets influenced by the festivities.
The operations of this team will be vital during key events, such as the announcing parade, the Carnival Coso, the funeral procession of the sardine, and the daytime carnivals.
These teams will also support traffic management and ensure health resources remain connected to the advanced command post (PMA) installed at the Carnival Hospital.
As in prior editions, the capital’s council has established a network of care stations for security and emergencies, distributed throughout the carnival area.
In these stations, personnel from the Local Police, National Police, the Tenerife Fire Consortium, and the Civil Protection Volunteer Group will be present.
Additionally, this operation will be complemented by the monitoring of 25 video surveillance cameras, once again operational in the carnival area, with oversight by officers from the aforementioned PMA.
New Violet Point next to the Plaza de España
The Department of Sexual Equality and Affective Diversity, led by Councillor for Security Gladis León, is intensifying its efforts during Carnival by expanding the number of violet points to two, located in the streets.
One will be situated near the Correos y Telegrafos building in Tenerife’s capital, while the other will be within the Carnival Hospital. In both instances, personnel at these points will provide prevention, advice, and support against potential sexual assaults.
Troop Deployment in the Port Area
Another major development centres on the new position of the Carnival Fair, to which a hundred civilians are added alongside personnel from the Port Authority, bolstered by the newly established Local Police headquarters.
Specifically, the Civil Guard will also have its own drone unit, along with a hundred members daily in active service; including canine units, the reserve and security group (GRS), and a marine service patrol.
Additionally, the traffic enforcement division will conduct preventive checks regarding alcohol and drugs among drivers at the city’s main access points, both on the North Highway (TF-5) and the South Highway (TF-1).
In relation to port security, specific personnel will be allocated to oversee the port area and the operation of the fair, ensuring continuous presence and the correct use of pedestrian walkways by all attendees.
Coordination between Local Police and National Police
These two police forces provide the most substantial contributions to ensuring the safety of the Santacrucero Carnival. The local force will deploy nearly 350 agents throughout the festivities, with particular emphasis on security checkpoints and booths set up within the carnival boundaries.
For the National Police, up to 600 personnel will be responsible for maintaining security during Carnival, augmented by special units that will be dispatched from Madrid and Gran Canaria. They will ensure a strong presence in designated operational areas alongside the Local Police.
Both the Police Intervention Unit (UIP) and the Prevention and Reaction Unit (UPR) will actively patrol the streets and key transport hubs, including the bus exchange and the tram at the Plaza de la Paz.
In conjunction with the drone unit, the National Police helicopter will monitor daytime carnival celebrations, alongside increased scrutiny of maritime transport connections between Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
This edition also includes the commitment of the CGPC to enhance its visibility at the Santacrucero Carnival events, with a contingent of 50 officers from the regional police force on duty, particularly during daytime activities, the celebration of the COSO, and in coordinated efforts with the Local Police for other relevant events.
The Tenerife Fire Consortium will uphold its pledge to ensure carnival safety with up to 150 agents deployed.
The presence of Civil Protection volunteers will guarantee the daily availability of 35 personnel alongside the local group’s staff.
For medical response to Carnival incidents, the Spanish Red Cross will manage this aspect, with an estimated 120 staff members dedicated to providing assistance during key days of the festivities.
The coordination centre for all incidents occurring during the Santacrucero Carnival will be established within the designated Carnival Hospital, and it is the advanced command post (PMA) where all connections and security services involved in the festivities will integrate.
Titsa has planned to provide an additional 617 transport services, alongside a comprehensive strategy for the island’s transport use, with special departure points in San Isidro, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, and Los Cristianos. As noted in the meeting, it is anticipated that over 417,000 passengers will be transported during the festival’s main week.
