Madeira News Blog

Watch out – there is an ‘extreme’ UV rating for sun exposure today! It was even mentioned on the national news earlier.

(7th June). ‘Director Of The Public Security Police Announces More Police And Guns’.
‘GLOCK Arrives For 750′. All 750 officers of the public security police here are to be issued with new Glock 9mm guns before the end of this year. That’s the promise of the national director for the PSP. Another piece of news he brought on his visit here from Portugal, is that there are 900 police recruits (PSP) due to finish their training in October, and they will be distributed around the country, with some coming to Madeira. The squads here require more resources for ongoing security programs, and to support the concept of ‘community policing’. It is unknown yet how many of the 900 will be sent here, but it seems certain that the ratio of 3 police officers per 1,000 population, one of the lowest in Portugal, will be affected. I would have been much happier to have read headline saying that government had new moves to beat drugs and relieve poverty, than this headline, but I suppose that’s human nature to tackle the effects rather than the causes, what with more police and guns. If only this government had acted on the early signs of drug problems a few years ago, learning from the vast experience of it’s European neighbours, but they let it get out of hand and then try and backtrack. Shame on you Bertie, although I have no doubt the voters won’t punish you for it.

‘Courts Confuse VIP Residences – The administrative court ordered the electricity to be cut-off in the controversial ‘villas’ of Caminho dos Saltos. Another court ordered the contrary. It just remains to see the lawsuits emerge’. The ‘Villas Jardins D’Água’, better known locally as the VIP Residences, are in the centre of a clash between courts, with one ordering the electricity to be cut-off, whilst the other, ‘Vara Mista’ in Funchal, ordered the electricity company to set-up the supply contracts. The decision to cut-off the electricity was a matter of the red-tape and not all of the correct procedures being followed to have an electricity supply, the other was to uphold an injunction filed by the condominium owners who were able to prove they had done everything as it should have been done. Did you know that many people refer to electricity as ‘luz’ (light), so when there is a power cut for example, or the oven doesn’t work "Não há luz", or when the bill comes it is time to "pagar a luz".

‘Funchal Central Hospital Has New Stroke Unit – The new unit should contribute to shorter stays in hospital and less fatalities’. It will be inaugurated on Thursday, and required an investment of around €250,000.

‘Man Suspected Of Shooting In Canhas Arrested – The 59 year old man is required to report in twice weekly by court order’. The shooting after a quarrel last Thursday hit two people, one of whom is still in hospital with severe facial injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced to the fans of Real Madrid last night. All over the newspapers today, not to mention the TV. CR737 (not CR9 as reported in the media) attracted 85,000 fans to the event, beating the ancient record belonging to Maradona, and who knows who many TV viewers worldwide. He managed to speak a few sentences to the fans in Spanish, at least I think it was as I couldn’t understand most of it, only to say that he was very happy to be there and that he had fulfilled a childhood dream. The Diário calls him the ‘new idol’ of Madrid on their front page story.

(6th & 7th June). ‘Prison Guard Strike – Madeira registers a participation of close to 100%’. The trade union representing prison guards took all its members out on a three day strike that started yesterday, leaving just a bare minimum of cover for the daily duties required. The 40 strikers gathered alongside Funchal prison yesterday, protesting over issues of employment status, retirement at age 60, and issues of pay, amongst other things. This national strike will continue through Wednesday, with a second 3 day strike scheduled for the 17th – 19th July.

(7th July). ‘Spanish Operator Brings 10,500 Tourists – Promotional effort works in Spain; ‘Costas Galícia’ increases traffic through Madeira, despite of the crisis’. Spanish travellers aged over 35, without kids, are those that look to Madeira for a holiday, and the tour operator ‘Costal Galícia’ has managed to attract over 10,000 of them to visit this year, increasing their previous sales in 2008 by 60%. The weekly flights with SATA have seats for 168 tourists from Madrid, and another 80 from Porto, in a clever initiative covering both airports, ensuring the flights are fully booked in July. A spokesman for the tour operator said that the initiative is running very well, although it is very surprising, as in these times less Spanish are leaving Spain to go on holiday. I think the July package holiday prices of €460-480 per person for a week might have had something to do with it too.

(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.