Most places should be open and ready in Puerto Soller during the next week.
In terms of public safety and policing street crime the humble ‘close circuit tv' has its place. Unfortunately, in small towns their locations are obvious, and they are often vandalised. Better than nothing but not perfect seems to be the view on them The latest efforts are coming our way from the ‘Drones'. Used extensively in the mountainous regions to help track lost walkers and people who have had accidents. The Tramuntana is well used to the technology. The next phase is now under experiment and discussion and Palma is leading the way. They are being used to identify the graffiti artists who appear in the middle of the night and do their stuff. There is lots of public order evidence gathering, done from drones, and the use of them is becoming bigger by the month.
In the mountains around Soller the Drones are used to identify illegal builds and swimming pools. They also sniff out places where criminal activity is suspected such as the odd cannabis farm. In the past surveillance helicopters were used and now their work is added to by the latest Drones. We read chillingly of the power of the nautical drones in warfare. Ships being successfully targeted and destroyed by
Ukraine is among the headlines this week. I am not sure what I think about this. On one level anything that helps in law enforcement is a benefit to local communities. On another level the idea that all around, from inefficient close circuit tv to high powered drones, our daily life is being watched, fills me with dread.
I have family living in California who visit Soller often and have done since they were very small. My niece is all grown up now and a lawyer in Los Angeles. On this trip, in a few weeks, she is bringing two friends to enjoy the delights of family visits and the Soller Valley. They booked the trip and then called to say they had just read a huge article all about us in the New York Times. The publicity for the island and for the Soller Valley was in their words ‘awesome'.
At this time of year, the chatter is out there about music coming from bars and restaurant on to the terrace or beachside. There are regulations about this, licenses to obtain and permissions to be granted. Even with the rules, there are establishments who switch the music on and hope noone will complain. On the Soller beach you can't take a radio or music box and play your choice of music loudly next to your sunbed. This is not allowed for the obvious reason that you cannot impose your choice of music and the volume you prefer in a public space. The critics of uncontrolled music coming from bars ask why the beach rules don't apply to them? As with all rules the ability and workforce to enforce them is key. This doesn't seem a high priority for our town.
We have enjoyed seeing the half termers here this past two weeks. Children on the beach and sandcastles are a welcome sight. More brave souls have gone in the water and turned the required shade of blue. The empty sands will soon give way to the beach furniture and rows of sunbeds. The beaches of Puerto Soller are very popular and locals have their favourite spots. We are waiting for that glass of wine, sitting beachside, looking at the sunset. Most places should be open and ready for this during the next week.
Ports de les Illes Balears has announced an investment of 75,000 euros to renew the asphalt layer of the port area, this will put an end to the potholes that currently affect several points of the road. This work is to pave Marina Street and the riverside pier, areas where the technical reports prepared by Ports indicate that “they are very deteriorated, with potholes and cracks. These complaints have existed for years but maybe 2024 will be the year the repairs happen. Currently new palm trees are being planted in the area as the spruce up continues. Ready for a new season…