Palma (TAN): The local administration in this popular Spanish tourism destination is planning to give police the authority to take offenders straight to a cash machine so that they can withdraw money and pay the requisite fine, a report in Express said.
The “straight to the cash machine” policy is already in force at the Llucmajor tourist resort and Majorca, the report added. An awareness drive will be carried out in April and the fines strictly imposed from May.
“It’s important that tourists know they have to pay and do not laugh at our police,” Biel Barceló, president of a citizens’ group, told local newspaper Ultimahora.es.
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Last month, the city council of Palma has approved a demand on ban on alcohol advertising in an effort to promote responsible drinking and discourage drunk behaviour. Palma is the capital of the popular Spanish tourist island Majorca located in the Mediterranean Sea.
The ban will be in force during the high season from April 1 to September 30 at Playa de Palma, Paseo Marítimo, the city centre, Cala Major and the Joan Miró Avenue.
Offenders encouraging drinking through fliers and posters during this period will be fined between EUR 2,000 and EUR 3,000.
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The “biergardens” have been asked to isolate themselves with high fencing and glass panels.
In parts of Majorca such as Playa de Palma, Express reports, the authorities have already imposed a ban on tourists from eating and drinking in public areas between 1700 and 2000 hours in an effort to minimise littering and noise so that the locals are not inconvenienced.
