The socialist candidate for the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, commented in a private forum recently on his performance challenges if he were to achieve the mayorship, goals of great importance, and he considered that the demands for more cleanliness and security, although important, they seemed easier to get. Without a doubt, there are goals that need more cooking, that you cannot appreciate the improvement with just a few touch-ups, and I agree with Collboni that in terms of cleaning and safety, the changes could be seen more quickly and easily.
In the behavior of the Guardia Urbana, more political conviction would be needed to do what it does best, to control more and better, to have a sharper attitude towards crime and lack of control. Another thing is the involvement of the Mossos d'Esquadra, an efficient body but with a deficit of cash, at least in Barcelona, which causes major mismatches and absences so that Barcelona and metropolitan society can enjoy the security it needs. Between the political will, which has not been the strongest against crime in Barcelona or Catalonia, and the lack of means, one of the most advanced areas of Spain is in a situation of clear inferiority of results.
Of course we are not talking about major crime, that of international gangs or mafias, but what really worries citizens, that of their personal safety, thefts, muggings, squatting, intimidation. This cluster of discomforts that makes a person feel insecure instead of being relaxed and happy. It's a matter of perceptions, because then the police statistics support everything, especially when in Catalonia we have instituted this ridiculous way of managing the prior appointment to report. If any thinking mind considers that by reducing the official number of thefts people will think they are living in wonderland they are very wrong.
The situation is delicate and in the case of Barcelona we should be able to extend the keys to the conflict and the solution to the metropolitan area. Months ago Antonio Balmón, mayor of Cornellà and vice-president of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB), already launched proposals in this direction. It is not a question of mayors losing their status as the highest officials of their city, but we should establish commitments so that shared problems have accurate global solutions and avoid that if a mayor, or mayoress, becomes alienated from order and to common sense, we can appeal to a higher entity, agreed upon by all, so that the crime that is prosecuted in one municipality does not end up being a welcome cocktail in the neighboring municipality. For cities to grow, a long list of things is necessary, but it is essential that seriousness and order are in the DNA of their rulers and their citizens.
