The Santa Perpètua de Mogoda City Council has initiated a campaign to sanction uncivil conduct that pollutes or damages public spaces and natural areas within the municipality. Mayor Joan Carles Mingueza has announced that he has instructed the Local Police to intensify surveillance and act against individuals who abandon waste in unauthorized locations or deliberately litter the city. This measure is part of the municipal program focusing on three areas: improving cleanliness, strengthening waste collection, and combating incivility.
“"We will be firm against incivility and put an end to impunity for these behaviors, with increased surveillance and sanctions."
The mayor emphasized that these actions are driven by the need to protect public spaces and ensure coexistence, stating, "It is not fair that the vast majority of residents, who do things right, have to pay for the irresponsible acts of a minority." Mingueza released an institutional video on November 2nd via municipal social media explaining the City Council's approach to tackling this situation, describing it as an "authentic epidemic of incivility."
Mingueza recalled that incivility has consequences beyond mere dirtiness, as it harms coexistence and incurs economic costs borne by the entire community. "Every euro we must spend cleaning up what someone has dirtied is a euro we cannot invest in other services that benefit all citizens," he asserted. The mayor called for community collaboration in reporting behaviors detrimental to the community.
The sanctions are part of a series of municipal actions to improve street cleanliness. The Council is reinforcing cleaning and maintenance services by incorporating new work teams at the municipal company Mogoda Serveis, contracting extraordinary services, and acquiring new water vehicles and sweepers. "We are prioritizing all available resources to reach all neighborhoods and streets," Mingueza highlighted, noting that the City Council's sound financial situation has allowed for the recovery of services.
Regarding the waste collection model, the mayor pointed out that in the first year of closed containers, selective collection has doubled, and most families are paying less for their waste bills this year and will continue to do so next year. After months of information and education, sanctions have been decided upon as a measure to curb uncivil behavior. The mayor assured that issues with the closed container system are becoming more punctual and that improvements are planned.
Mingueza reaffirmed the municipal government's commitment to dedicating resources and efforts towards a "cleaner, greener, and more civic" Santa Perpètua. Title IV of the Municipal Ordinance on the Management of Municipal Waste regulates infractions and sanctions, with fines ranging from 400 to 60,000 euros.
