In recent months, the City Council of La Oliva has sent multiple formal communications to the Ministry of Interior alerting of the lack of Civil Guard and National Police. Since 2021, police unions and associations have warned that Fuerteventura needs at least 80 to 100 additional agents of the Civil Guard and about 30 more of the National Police, without significant progress.
Meanwhile, the Consistory has increased its Public Safety budget ninefold, from 50,000 to 460,000 euros per year. It has also increased its police staff from 31 to 52 in just two years, and has implemented key technology such as video surveillance cameras, drones, canine unit and the recovery of the Environmental Unit (UMA).
“Security can no longer be an exclusive burden of the municipality. From La Oliva we are doing everything in our power, but our powers and resources have a limit,” said Mayor Isaí Blanco.
“The state cannot look the other way while crimes increase. We have already seen whole nights without a single agent of the Civil Guard in Corralejo. It is unacceptable,” he adds.
Blanco also highlighted the role of the Local Police in recent cases, such as the tragic murder of a Danish tourist in Corralejo, whose resolution was possible thanks to the joint action of the security forces and the municipal surveillance system.
A unanimous demand for state reinforcements
During the last Local Security Board, held in January, the team of Security and Emergencies of the municipality returned to the table the need for the State to be involved in a real and effective way in the protection of Fuerteventura. It was agreed to continue demanding human and material reinforcements or, failing that, a direct transfer of funds to further expand the means of the Local Police.
“People are worried and rightly so. But let it be clear: the City Council of La Oliva has complied. Now it is the State’s turn to comply,” concluded the mayor.
