The special unit of the Local Police in Sevilla, responsible for the monumental zone, has faced a serious incident that has diminished its response capacity. The mobile phone assigned to this area, which uses two SIM cards for different zones, suffered a breakdown that rendered it inoperable for approximately one month. Upon its repair, over 300 missed calls were found, translating into numerous services that could not be attended.
Sources from the Sevilla City Council acknowledged the malfunction but downplayed its impact, assuring that calls were handled through the agents' corporate mobile phones. However, sources from the Local Police consulted by this newspaper disagree, indicating that "dozens of matters" were left unresolved.
“"The situation of the Tourist Police is the 'chronicle of a death foretold'."
This breakdown highlights the decline of the Tourist Police, formerly known as Grupo Giralda. The unit has seen its personnel drastically reduced, currently having only five officers, which makes it difficult to cover shifts and attend to daily incidents in the city's historic center.
Hoteliers and tourist guides have expressed their discontent over the lack of police presence and the officers' heavy workload. The association of hoteliers in the Santa Cruz neighborhood has requested a meeting with the mayor, José Luis Sanz, to address issues such as the proliferation of beggars, homeless individuals, street musicians, and tourists who violate regulations, affecting safety and coexistence in the area.
Hoteliers report that homeless people bathe in fountains and request increased police presence for deterrence. Meanwhile, tourist guides warn about the intrusion of unofficial guides, street congestion caused by tourist groups on bicycles, and the difficulty in purchasing tickets for monuments like the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar due to mass ticket purchases by bots.
The Professional Union of Municipal Police Officers (Sppme) criticizes the "neglect by the City Council" due to the lack of transfer competitions to fill vacancies. They point out that the unit has lost half its staff in two years, and the remaining five officers have been assigned the control of tourist apartments, without the necessary tools to work. The union recalls the mayor's unfulfilled promises regarding a new Staffing Plan (RPT).
