The City Council takes action against repeat criminal offending
In a municipal session that surprised with its brevity, the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, announced a series of measures aimed at addressing two of the most pressing concerns of citizens: security and the housing crisis. In response to a 40% increase in cases of theft committed by repeat offenders, the City Council will act as a plaintiff in these serious cases. This decision is based on a new law that allows local governments to intervene directly in judicial processes related to repeat offences.
Collboni emphasized that this measure aims not only to punish offenders but also to provide support to victims. “We have seen that many affected individuals choose not to report, but by offering them legal assistance, we have achieved positive results,” the mayor stated. In a previous pilot test, it was shown that in half of the cases where the City Council provided legal support, offenders were brought to justice.
Apart from the security issue, the session also addressed the housing crisis affecting many Barcelonians. Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls announced the acquisition of a building in Eixample through the right of first refusal. This property will have 14 flats designated for individuals registered in the official protected housing registry. The purchase was made for 4.6 million euros, representing a 21% reduction from the average market price.
Valls argued that it is essential to involve various stakeholders to promote affordable housing and mentioned collaborations with public and private entities to achieve this goal. However, criticism quickly arose from other political sectors; BComú questioned the PSC about its approach towards profit-making companies instead of non-profit cooperatives.
On another front, Junts managed to approve a joint plan with the PSC to combat youth gangs and foreign mafia groups that have raised concerns among citizens. This plan includes close collaboration with the Guardia Urbana and Mossos d’Esquadra to implement more decisive actions in neighbourhoods affected by these social issues.
Jordi Martí, president of the Junts municipal group, underscored the urgent need to address these phenomena that generate social alarm. The agreement also includes preventive strategies focused on at-risk youth and will strengthen educational programmes to detect problems before they escalate.
Despite the complex landscape in terms of both security and housing, municipal authorities appear committed to seeking effective solutions. With nearly 5,500 public flats projected before the end of the term and new criminal policies implemented to tackle repeat offending, Barcelona may be taking significant steps towards a safer and more liveable environment.
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