Residents in Arenal demand cleanliness, safe walkways, and more trash bins

Discontent in Arenal: "This can't go on"

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Yesterday evening, shortly after 6 p.m., about 200 neighbors gathered at Plaza Mayor in Llucmajor. Not a loud uproar, but a clear sign: the people on the edge of Arenal have had enough of broken sidewalks, overflowing trash bins, and the feeling that no one watches at night.

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What drove people onto the street

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In recent weeks, a small initiative collected around 500 signatures—hand in hand, slips on the bar, in front of supermarkets and at street corners. The demands are simple and practical: more cleaning, properly placed and functioning trash containers in the right places, and the repair of the treacherous paving stones along Calle Punta and the section toward Passeig. "I've almost sprained my ankle twice," says Maria, a resident who has lived here for ten years. Such voices were heard more often.

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Atmosphere and voices on site

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It was a clear but calm meeting. Families, retirees, employees from the small businesses in the area. Some brought flashlights, others photos of damaged curbs. An elderly man spoke of the patrol cars that are rarely seen in the early morning hours. "At night one feels less safe," he said, without exaggeration.

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Concrete demands, no big promises

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The list of concerns seems casual but is concrete: regular street cleaning, replacement or repositioning of trash containers where they are really needed, and repair of the sidewalks so kids with scooters don't end up in the sand. Another point: better lighting at some cross streets—especially where the lamps flicker or are missing entirely.

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A local impression, not a general alarm

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The problem does not seem to affect the whole island, but is concentrated in this part of Arenal, administratively belonging to Llucmajor. You heard hardly any political slogans, rather a mutual "We have to do something." A bit of neighborly care, packaged into signatures and a rally.

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Whether the municipality will respond soon is open. The organizers announced they would hand the list of signatures to the responsible authorities and insist on responses. For the people here, that would be a start – clean streets and safe sidewalks are not big promises, but normal expectations for the place you live.

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When: 16 September 2025, evening rally\n
Where: Plaza Mayor, Llucmajor (Arenal area)\n
Signatures: around 500\n
Participants: about 200 residents

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Those who live in the neighborhood know: Small things, like functioning trash stations or repaired sidewalks, change daily life more than you might think. Today it's the annoyance over trash and potholes; tomorrow perhaps a joint meeting to plan binding solutions. The mood is assertive, but not hostile—and that's worth a lot.