Residents of the Salamanca neighbourhood in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are raising alarms over increased insecurity in the area. The presence of drug users and homeless individuals has been rising, particularly around the Zurita Bridge.
The situation has worsened with reports of disturbances at the back ramp of the Columbo Bingo hall, where gatherings for drinking and drug use have become frequent, leading to altercations during the night.
The La Arboleda Residents’ Association is calling for action to improve the ramp, which connects Islas Canarias Avenue with Antonio González Suárez Street. The area has become a hotspot for disorder, with no lighting and limited visibility attracting large groups, especially on weekends. Residents often find broken bottles and discarded needles in the morning.
The association is urging the local council to install streetlights and enhance police patrols in the area, describing the neighbourhood as neglected. This isn’t the first time residents have raised concerns; in the past, they have submitted petitions to close off pathways linking Santiago Cuadrado Street with Avenida de las Asuncionistas and to secure the area beneath the Zurita Bridge.
Community members feel abandoned, stressing that despite their efforts to engage with the council, the ongoing problems of drug use, nocturnal disturbances, homelessness, and even suspected prostitution keep them on edge, particularly at night.
