Madeira News Blog

(30th June). Today’s main news headline : ‘Generosity Finances Delinquency – Beggars and drug addicts attack in the parks. Police realize that generosity feeds the phenomenon’. The covered car parks are being used by beggars and drug addicts to torment and rob people and damage and steal from cars. The problem is present in various places on Madeira, but is of most concern in downtown Funchal and Santa Cruz. In one case mentioned that took place last week in Caniço, a couple of ‘hoodies’ yanked out a woman as she was entering her car. They took her purse with identification, money, and her mobile phone. She ended up not pressing charges. A police spokesman acknowledges the problem in covered car parks, and said that car park owners have been alerted to the need for security cameras, and in some cases a security guard. In downtown Funchal the problem is particularly worrying, and has special attention from community police in Infante and Almirante Reis. The police spokesman says that one of the best ways to deter the beggars, is not to give money when asked, “it is good will and the spirit of solidarity that make the beggars hang around these places” he said. He also advises car park users to look around before making a move, to lock the car, and keep valuables out of site.

The same article also covers the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) and the situation there with drunks, junkies, and beggars creating a disgusting sight for tourists and people passing by. Aggressions’ and obscenities, as well as begging, are all part of the daily lives of the people that gather at the market every day. The police spokesman say this occurs because close by is a ‘rehabilitation centre’ used by some of these people. He said additional community police are alert to the problems.

‘Community Policing Arrives For Traffic – PSP have an operation of free vigilance for houses where the owners go on holiday’. After community policing was established in Santo António, São Martinho, Sé, and Monte, the concept of community policing is to be extended to include traffic. The duties of the officers will include dealing with cars badly parked, cars on pavements, and prevention of drink driving, with the officers devoted to traffic matters. The project will begin in downtown Funchal.

In the same article ‘Operation Safe Summer 2009′ started last Friday, with the police launching the same initiative as last year to patrol and protect commercial and residential areas, tourist zones, beaches and roads. The operation will run until 15th September, but the police bicycle patrols will be expanded for this year. Amongst other anti-crime tips in the article, there is an indirect warning about pickpockets. Police are also producing a leaflet to give to tourists coming to Portugal on holiday, and it will contain the phone numbers that people might need, as well as advice on how to avoid problems during their holiday, including moderated consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Regarding the free surveillance of houses left empty whilst owners go on holiday, those wishing to use the service need to complete and deliver a form to the police station, or fill in the form online at www.psp.pt.

‘Tourist Robbed With Weapon On The Levada dos Piornais’. It happened around 11am yesterday morning in São Martinho, when a German tourist walking alone had a gun(?) pointed at his neck and had €40 stolen. The tourist was already in the process of handing the money over when the mugger produced the weapon. Police attended the scene, but the mugger had already fled.

The main photo on today’s front page shows a group of youngsters playing banjos and recorders : ‘Madeira Explains Artistic Education To Europe – The office coordinator shares 30 years of experience in a European meeting that takes place tomorrow morning in Estonia’. The conference organised by the European Association for Music in Schools takes place every two years, bringing together experts in the field, to share ideas and experiences, and establish partnerships at a European level. This year the theme is ‘Music inside and outside of schools, and it takes place in Estonia, a country with a great tradition for choirs. Madeira feels it has something special to offer, because it can do things in such a small population, that would be much more difficult in larger countries. Amongst the things that Madeira will share, is the mixing of music with acting, to help students learn music, with such events sometimes televised. Also the extracurricular activities that take place for students who wish to specialise, and the use of ‘fun’ in the learning experience.

‘Aedes Aegypti – The IHMT team will study the effectiveness of insecticides used to combat the mosquito’. A team from the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT) of the New University of Lisbon will hold a two week study on the degree of effectiveness of products used on Madeira to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The President of the Management Board for Health and Social Affairs (IASAS), Maurício Melim, said that entomologists would be able to recognize the quality of the products used. He says that the products used to date have been in accordance with international guidelines and practices. The quantity of mosquitoes found in late June is low compared with previous years, but the situation will change with increased temperatures. He added that in the opinion of ‘the entomologist’, it is not going to be possible to eradicate the mosquito. It originally arrived here several years ago, and has continued to breed and prosper, gradually spreading out from the original problem area in Funchal.

The Government Of Madeira Adopts Solution For Columbus Resort – A protocol to facilitate the project was approved yesterday’. The tourist complex in Porto Santo that ground to a halt several months ago due to lack of funds has a rescue package. There are no more details at present.

At the same meeting the government agreed a project to upgrade the miradouro (view point) at Cabo Girão, with a platform of steel and glass, that will cost nearly €2 million. Also agreed was the construction of a health centre, with welfare facilities and homes for elderly people, at Porto da Cruz, which will cost €4.2 million.  

‘Funchal Council Funds €150,000 In Funchal Jazz – The festival runs between 2nd and 4th July in St. Catherine’s Park’. The 10th edition of the festival will receive the same amount of funding as last year, but has moved from Quinta Magnólia, and doesn’t have an actual sponsor. This year there will be two huge TV screens installed, and improvements in the sound quality. Tickets are available at the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, with a special promotional price until today. A ticket for all 3 days costs €30.

All the articles which mention the police (6 paragraphs) were linked from the front page, and although some of the news is about positive measures being taken, it does not show Madeira in a good light at all.