Alicante City Council has reminded the public this Tuesday that it has once again banned bonfires, campfires and street drinking on the beaches of the city during the Noche de San Juan (San Juan Night), which will be celebrated from 23rd to 24th June.
This was announced by the municipal spokesperson and councillor for festivals, Cristina Cutanda, during a press conference following the government board meeting. She indicated that a local police surveillance operation involving fifty officers will be activated to prevent access to the sandy beach areas with firewood and glass bottles.
According to Cutanda, the council aims to avoid safety and cleanliness problems for beach users in the days following the festivities, given the risk of sharp and cutting objects.
Furthermore, she pointed out that there will be more security during the Fogueres celebration this year, with 4,600 personnel from all police forces deployed, which is 600 more than the previous year. She noted that special attention will be paid to areas with the highest concentration of people, such as Plaza de Luceros, Explanada, Plaza de Toros, El Postiguet and Playa de San Juan.
The measures include preventive checks, plain-clothed officers, the use of drones and specific actions for the prevention of gender-based violence, the protection of minors and night-time leisure, Cutanda specified.
On the other hand, the government team spokesperson stressed that the space for the general public will be expanded in the Plaza de Luceros, where the mascletás (firecracker shows) are set off, by reducing enclosed areas.
As a result, the layout will follow the circle established by the square with perimeter fencing that will not have the corners and recesses they previously had. With this, the council seeks to guarantee more space for the general public and ensure that the evacuation routes have a greater width.
Regarding these evacuation routes, Cutanda maintained that, for the first time, they have been signposted with banners on the public streets around Luceros for the launch of the Fogueres mascletás, which start this Thursday.
With regard to the permits requested for Fogueres racós and barracas (festival marquees and stalls), the councillor pointed out that six remain pending. However, she noted this does not mean they will not be granted, but rather that there is some correction they need to finalise or a report that is missing after a correction has been submitted. In terms of monuments, she assured that two remain pending, specifically Carrer Sant Vicent and Remigio Soler.
Finally, Cutanda emphasised that this year a new location will be debuted for the fireworks competition. The fireworks castles will be set off from a more central area of El Postiguet beach, incorporating all security measures.
