Seville Police Overwhelmed: Budget Crisis Amidst Event Overload

Seville's Local Police Face Strain Amidst Wave of Events Seville, Spain – The Seville Local Police are facing a significant challenge in managing the city's event schedule, with a force of fewer than a thousand officers struggling to keep up with the demands. The issue is highlighted by a recent video report from ABC de Sevilla, which points to the strain caused by the sheer volume of events. "The problem of overtime for Seville's Local Police is a monster that devours," says Jesús Díaz, section chief at ABC de Sevilla, in the video. The city is hosting a constant stream of concerts, processions, protests, conferences, and sporting events, all on top of routine policing duties in neighborhoods and managing traffic and public gatherings. The city council's budget for overtime payments has already reached 17 million euros, and this figure could potentially double by the end of the year, with major events such as El Rocío, Corpus Christi, the Velá de Triana, and a UN summit still to come. The situation underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the police force's resources and staffing levels to ensure public safety and security in the face of a busy events calendar. The video's release serves as a call for attention to this critical issue and a potential need for increased funding and personnel.