The Tortosa City Council has hardened its stance against "anti-social attitudes" recently detected, affecting the cleanliness of bin areas, litter bins, and the management of bulky items and pruning waste. These practices, carried out by a minority, tarnish the city's image and impact public health and coexistence.
The control and sanction campaign, supplemented by plainclothes Local Police officers, has begun identifying and fining those who violate municipal ordinances. In just two days of surveillance, 43 fines have been issued, a significantly higher figure than the 16 recorded in June. According to the mayor, Mar Lleixà, this additional campaign is proving effective, with a total of 54 incidents in July and 91 fines accumulated since the beginning of the year, already matching the total figures for 2022 and 2023 (98 and 97 fines respectively).
The fines, ranging from 100 to 375 euros (potentially reaching 750 euros for depositing trash bags inside litter bins), are already being processed and collected immediately. The mayor recalled the available services for waste management, including bin areas, a municipal recycling center, a mobile unit, and a free bulky item collection service. The intervention of cleaning services in areas like Sant Josep de la Muntanya, which has become an uncontrolled dumping site, was also highlighted.
The council has declared its inflexibility towards these attitudes, stating that tolerance thresholds have been exceeded. Control operations will be carried out in all neighborhoods and towns without exception. Furthermore, an information and sanction campaign has been announced to remind the public of the prohibition of feeding pigeons and other birds in public areas, which carries fines of up to 100 euros.
The primary objective, according to Lleixà, is not revenue generation but to reduce or eliminate anti-social behavior. To achieve this, environmental education and awareness campaigns will be reinforced, with talks in educational centers and information booths set up at street level planned for September. Throughout August, eight information points will be installed in various city streets.
