The government of La Paeria will present the modification of the civility and coexistence ordinance to the next plenary session, a key measure to move towards a "cohesive, open, diverse, and respectful Lleida". Although the proposal received an unfavorable report in committee, Mayor Fèlix Larrosa has assured that negotiations will continue until the plenary.
The proposal focuses on coexistence in public spaces and includes tougher sanctions for uncivil conduct, penalties for repeat offenses, the opening of a citizen participation channel to report uncivil acts, and the improvement of the defense of women's rights. As detailed by Larrosa and deputy mayors Cristina Morón and Carme Valls, the current ordinance, from 2007, needs updating to incorporate behaviors that harm coexistence and public space.
Fines will be modified: minor infractions will range from 400 to 750 euros; serious ones, from 751 to 1,500 euros; and very serious ones, from 1,501 to 3,000 euros. Repeating a minor infraction within two years may be classified as serious, and repeating a serious one as very serious, as explained by Morón.
Another important novelty is the regulation of clothing in public spaces, which will prohibit covering the face entirely, wearing underwear, swimwear, or being naked, with exceptions for fundamental rights, places of worship, or socially accepted uses such as swimming pools. Additionally, a socio-educational action plan has been developed to promote the inclusion of women and combat street prostitution, explicitly prohibiting the demand for paid sexual services.
A specific citizen participation channel will be created for residents to report uncivil acts to the Guardia Urbana, which will evaluate and verify the information. Mediation will also be strengthened as a tool for conflict resolution, complementing sanctions.
The modification also strengthens the response to discriminatory or harassing behavior for any reason. Other defined behaviors include consuming alcohol in public spaces outside authorized hours, generating noise disturbances, causing damage to public furniture, or spitting, with penalties that also contemplate repeat offenses.
Mayor Larrosa highlighted that most citizens comply with the rules, but the new ordinance protects the right to rest, to walk in a clean city, and to interact safely.
