The Palma City Council has fined the sa Llotja-Born Residents' Association 240 euros for hanging anti-noise posters in various streets of the neighbourhood. The residents' group criticises the double standards of the Council.
The sa Llotja-Born Residents' Association received a 240 euro fine from the Palma City Council on Friday for hanging posters on Boteria, Mar, Sant Joan, and Jaume Ferrer streets. The penalty, set at 60 euros per poster, includes the possibility of a prompt payment if they waive their right to appeal. Additionally, the Council has confiscated the 18 banners, which cost 400 euros.
A Noise Campaign That Ends in a Fine
The posters were part of a joint campaign by residents of sa Llotja-Born, Santa Catalina, es Jonquet, and the Passeig Marítim to denounce the noise from bars and nightlife venues. With slogans like "Noise is torture" and "El renou és tortura", they aimed to highlight a problem affecting their health and rest.
On June 4, Palma firefighters already removed several posters at the request of the Local Police, which deemed them in violation of municipal regulations. Now, the financial penalty has heightened tensions between the residents and the Council.
Criticism of Double Standards
Spokespeople for the residents' association criticised that "the Palma City Council fines a residents' association for hanging harmless posters while tolerating the constant violation of municipal regulations by restaurants and bars." The residents argue that the banners were placed in the same locations as previous messages with the slogan "Silence, respect, and civility", without any issues at that time.
"They are quick to respond to this, but turn a deaf ear to other problems faced by residents," lamented the association. The group claims that when they asked who had made the complaint, the response was that it was "internal orders from the police."
A Conflict That Continues in Central Palma
Sa Llotja is one of the areas most affected by nighttime noise in Palma, along with Santa Catalina, es Jonquet, and the Passeig Marítim. Residents have been complaining for years about the impact of nightlife on their quality of life, with complaints ranging from sleep problems to stress. The fine has reopened the debate on noise management in the city and the municipal response to residents' protests.
For now, the association is considering whether to appeal the fine or take advantage of the prompt payment option. Meanwhile, the posters have disappeared from the streets, but discontent among residents continues to grow. Next week, they plan to meet with other groups to coordinate new protest actions.
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