The Sant Antoni Comerç association has expressed its concern over recent events, which include the loss of a life following an attempted robbery. This situation has led to the demand for immediate intervention to restore security and coexistence in the area.
According to the merchants, the lower part of Sant Antoni and the surroundings of Ronda de Sant Pau are critical points where problems such as insecurity, irregular street vending, lack of cleanliness, and homelessness are concentrated. This reality, which has worsened in recent months, directly affects the daily lives of businesses, their employees, residents, and visitors, generating a growing sense of fear, especially after 8 PM.
“"Merchants and residents need a clear, coordinated, and continuous response. It is not just about security, but also about coexistence, the dignity of public space, and the commercial future of the neighborhood."
The proposed shock plan includes a fixed police presence with 24-hour patrols on Ronda de Sant Pau, as well as specific actions against uncivil behavior and crime in other streets such as Aldana, Marquès de Campo Sagrado, and Parlament. However, the association emphasizes that the solution is not solely police-related, but also requires a "solid social intervention" with the strengthening of social services and resources for homeless and vulnerable people.
The merchants insist on the need to address the underlying social causes of many of these situations to reclaim the neighborhood as a commercial, residential, and coexistence space, and reiterate their willingness to collaborate with administrations to find effective, immediate, stable, and visible solutions.
