The Government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, together with the Mayor of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Asier Antona, presided today the last meeting of the year of the Local Security Board held in the Plenary Hall of the City Council of the Palm Capital.
This meeting is part of the calendar of joint work of the different entities competent in matters of security, emergencies and civil protection for the correct development of the LXX edition of the Festival Lustrales de la Bajada de la Virgen, which will take place in 2025.
The government delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, confirmed during the celebration of the Local Security Board the unconditional support so that the most emblematic festivities of La Palma and of great sociocultural significance “can be celebrated in a safe environment in the face of the expectation of thousands of visitors that are expected for the month of July next year”.
In this sense, he pointed out that “La Palma is the second safest island in the Canary Islands, only behind El Hierro, according to the latest crime data, so it can be presumed to have an excellent ratio in a territory that is around 85,000 inhabitants with exceptional behavior”.
For his part, Mayor Asier Antona thanked him on behalf of the Corporation and the Rector Council of the Bajada de la Virgen for the willingness and sensitivity demonstrated with the municipality in an effective and constant way so that these festivities, declared a Good of Cultural Interest (BIC) are “the most heartfelt and best in its history”, after a decade without being celebrated “in all its splendour”.
The insular director of the General Administration of the State in La Palma, Carlos García, has also participated in this meeting for the coordination of resources and strategic lines for the Bajada de la Virgen.
Chief Inspector of the Civil Guard in the Canary Islands, Juan Hernández Mosquera; Senior Chief of the National Police in the Canary Islands, Jesús Gómez Martín; Provincial Commissioner of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Eloy Román López; Deputy Chief Inspector of Traffic of La Palma, David Romero Marín, as well as the Chief Inspector of the National Police of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Basilica of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
All this with the purpose of proposing ideas for improvement and points to reinforce public security measures for the next Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, declared a Property of Cultural Interest by the Government of the Canary Islands. Thus, during this meeting, it has become aware of the updated dates of the calendar and the main events that will take place both in Semana Chica and Semana Grande, the levels of occupation on the island or the impact of the increase of floating population in traffic, among other issues.