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The Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 8th November 2023

Good day to you all. There have been two big stories this week which have hit the headlines. The first is the sudden resignation of the Prime Minister over a scandal which is still fully to come out into the open. There is every likelihood that there will be another General Election as a result of his resignation, and we will all hear more about this next week.

The other big story is the publication of a report into the situation in Portugal of Rural Fires in 2023.  The year 2023 was the first year ever without fatalities due to rural fires. Zero fatalities, whether civilians, people who were caught by the fire during burning, cut and piled waste or more extensive burning and operatives” said the president of Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF).

Between January 1st and October 15th this year, 7,635 rural fires were recorded, the second lowest figure in the last 10 years. A reduction that is particularly visible in the summer months, with fewer fires on the hottest periods.

According to data released Monday (6 November) by the AGIF, this year there were 58% fewer fires compared to the average in the period 2010-2019, less 26% compared to 2022. For more information on these statistics see our more detailed post further in this report.

Now let’s have a look at some of the other stories that have hit the headlines in the past week across the country.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE, DON’T DRINK

One in three drivers that die in road accidents has a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than 0.5 g/l and three in four of these drivers have a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than 1.2 g/l.

Don’t be part of this statistic.

 See this flyer http://www.ansr.pt/…/Campanha…/Flyer%20Taxa%20Zero.pdf  where among other info you can find the Fines for Driving with a Blood Alcohol Level above 0,2 g/l (professional drivers and recent driving licences) or 0,5 g/l (non-professional drivers)

ALGARVE EXPERIENCES SMALL MAGNITUDE 3.4 EARTHQUAKE

UPDATE – The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere informs that on 05-11-2023 at 21:18 (local time) an earthquake of magnitude 3.4 (Richter) was recorded at the stations of the Continent Seismic Network, whose epicentre was located approximately 8 km east-northeast of Monchique.

This earthquake, according to the information available to date, did not cause any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity IV (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipalities of Albufeira and Lagoa (Faro).

It was also felt with less intensity in the municipalities of Beja (Beja), Monchique, Portimão and Silves (Faro).

According to Spain’s Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), the quake hit on Sunday, November 5th, 2023, at 9:18 pm local time at a very shallow depth of 5 km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicentre, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.

A second report was later issued by the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake, which listed it as a magnitude 3.4 earthquake.

OPERATION “LIMPEZA PROFUNDA VI” – COMBATING INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING

The Judiciary Police (PJ), through the National Unit to Combat Drug Trafficking, arrested three Portuguese who are strongly suspected of committing the crime of drug trafficking.

The arrests occurred red handed, as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal group that, through the regular airline flights, was introducing large quantities of narcotic products into national territory.

The detainees, employees of companies based at Humberto Delgado Airport, in Lisbon, removed the drugs directly from the plane’s hold, shortly after their arrival, diverting it from the baggage inspection. The drug had just arrived in Lisbon, on a flight from Latin America.

A large quantity of cocaine was seized which, if it reached the distribution circuits, would be sufficient for 440,000 (four hundred and forty thousand) individual doses;

In addition to the drugs, a large amount of money in notes, four luxury vehicles, cell phones and various documentation relevant to proving the facts under investigation were also seized. The investigation continues.

The detainees, aged 42, 47 and 50, were present for the first judicial interrogation, and the coercive measure of preventive detention was applied to all of them.

In this operation, the Judiciary Police had relevant support from the PSP – Airport Security Division of Humberto Delgado Airport.

OCTOBER – AMOUNT OF WATER INCREASED IN NINE RIVER BASINS

The amount of water stored increased in October 2023 in nine river basins and decreased in three compared to the last day of the previous month, according to data from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH).

October 2023 storages by river basin were generally higher than the October storage averages (1990/91 to 2022/23), except for the Sado, Mira, Guadiana, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins.

The Barlavento basin continues to be the one with the smallest amount of water, just 7.6%, when the average is 53.4%.

Of the 60 monitored reservoirs, 18 had water availability greater than 80% of the total volume and 17 less than 40%.

According to SNIRH data available today, at the end of October the Barlavento (7.6%), Arade (25.5%), Mira (31%) and Sado (36.7%) basins were at a lower level.

The Ave basin had the largest percentage of stored water, with 99.6% of its capacity, followed by the Douro (84%), Cávado (83.3%), Lima (75.5%), Tagus (73 .4%), Guadiana (67.7%), Oeste (66.9%) and Mondego (66.7%).

October 2023 storages by river basin were generally higher than the October storage averages (1990/91 to 2022/23), except for the Sado, Guadiana, Mira, Ribeiras do Algarve and Arade basins.

Most of the river basins have several reservoirs.

“A TERRA TREME” NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS EXERCISE – NOVEMBER 14TH

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) promotes the national seismic risk awareness exercise, called “A TERRA TREME”.

Safe Communities Portugal has supported this each year in a number of ways.

This initiative is part of the activities that form part of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection and aims to empower the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake, sensitising citizens to the fact of living in a risk society, and challenging themselves o to get involved in the process of building safer and more resilient communities.

The exercise comprises the practice of 3 simple gestures that can make a difference to those who practise them in the face of an earthquake.

The action takes place during one (1) minute, in which the participants, individually or collectively, are invited to perform the 3 self-protection gestures: DROP, COVER, HOLD.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

Everyone can and should participate: individually or in groups, wherever they are.

HOW?

People/organisations/schools/etc are invited to register in the dedicated area of the website. At the date and hour do the exercise and share it on social media afterwards

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1 – REGISTRATION – Register on the site, expressing your interest in this campaign. Refer to the number of expected participants and contacts for possible sending of more information.

2 – PLAN – Define the dimension you want to give to the exercise, which can go from the simplest level with the practice of the 3 gestures, to the elaboration of a more complete exercise that even tests an Emergency Plan, involving different entities.

3 – DISCOVER – Involve everyone in your family and organisation and share information about A TERRA TREME through your contact list, encouraging them to participate.

4 – CONSULT – Share the dissemination materials available on the site, reinforcing individual and collective preparation for an earthquake situation.

5 – EXERCISE – On the date and hour do the exercise and share it on social media afterwards

You can get some info on our website, download this leaflet https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/…/Earthquakes…

The “A Terra Treme” site https://www.aterratreme.pt/

PORTUGAL RURAL FIRES- ONE OF THE BEST YEARS YET!

The year 2023 was the first year ever without fatalities due to rural fires. Zero fatalities, whether civilians, people who were caught by the fire during burning, cut and piled waste or more extensive burning and operatives” said the president of Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF) at a press conference.

Between January 1st and October 15th this year, 7,635 rural fires were recorded, the second lowest figure in the last 10 years. A reduction that is particularly visible in the summer months, with fewer fires on the hottest periods.

According to data released Monday (6 November) by the AGIF, this year there were 58% fewer fires compared to the average in the period 2010-2019, less 26% compared to 2022.

This decrease extends to larger fires, whose numbers have been decreasing. Until now, there was an average of 19 fires with a burned area of more than 1000 hectares. In recent years this average has dropped to seven.

The burned area fell by 75% compared to the 2010-2019 average and 69% compared to last year.

According to data presented by AGIF, with regard to the causes of fires there is a “reduction of more than 50% in the number of fires that result from several types of burning and in the number of fires that result from arsonists/vandalism”.

The number of “fires resulting from accidents remains the same”.

Throughout this year, and for the first time, the investment made in prevention (61%) is higher than that in fighting fires (39%).

But this, as mentioned by Duarte da Costa, president of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), does not correspond to a disinvestment in fighting fires (in 2023 there was a reinforcement of the device, namely aerial means) but to an “awareness of the greater need to invest in prevention”.

A work that has been done by the State, but also by citizens, namely through the cleaning of land, as highlighted by Nuno Banza, president of the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) “The country as a whole is doing work of true prevention”.

PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced his resignation on Tuesday after he was embroiled in a corruption investigation into the awarding of energy-related contracts. Covering alleged “misuse of funds, active and passive corruption by political figures, and influence peddling,” according to a statement from public prosecutors.

Costa, being the prime minister in exercise, will be investigated independently for allegedly intervening personally to speed up the awarding of licences for lithium exploration and hydrogen production.

“The duties of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity,” Costa told a press conference.

“In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the president of the Republic,” he added. Portugal’s head of state Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa accepted Costa’s resignation and called for a meeting of parliamentary parties on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Portuguese presidency.

The president must also convene the Council of State, which includes the country’s most senior politicians, former presidents and other notable figures which will happen on Thursday.

“The President of the Republic will address the nation immediately after the meeting of the Council of State,” the statement added.

Earlier Tuesday, Portuguese media reported that investigators had searched several ministries as well as Costa’s chief of staff office at the official residence.

Public prosecutors later said they had indicted Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba and issued an arrest warrant for Costa’s chief of staff. The investigation covers lithium mining concessions as well as a hydrogen production project and data centre to be built by the company Start Campus in Sines, a town about 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Lisbon.

Citing flight risk and the possibility that illegal activity could continue, arrest warrants were also issued for the mayor of Sines and two executives at Start Campus.

The president of the executive board of the Portuguese Agency for the Protection of the Environment (APA) was also indicted. APA in May approved a lithium mining project, an essential metal for the manufacturing of electric batteries.

Portugal has the largest lithium reserves in Europe and is the continent’s leading producer, but its current output goes entirely to the ceramic and glass-making industries.

Costa, from Portugal’s Socialist Party, has been prime minister since late 2015 and was re-elected in January 2022.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 8th November 2023

by Mike Evans

Good day to you all and welcome to the latest Algarve Report bringing you information and news of all things connected to safety and security. We start this report with the news that an earthquake was felt by many people across the region on Sunday. A 3.4 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was recorded this Sunday with its epicentre located approximately eight kilometres from Monchique at 9.18pm.

According to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the earthquake “did not cause personal or material damage” but was “felt with maximum intensity IV/V (Modified Mercalli scale) in the municipalities of Albufeira and Lagoa. “It was also felt with less intensity in the municipalities of Beja (Beja), Monchique, Portimão, and Silves (Faro),” it added. When we posted the news on our Facebook page many of our followers felt it or “heard” it. Luckily there was no damage reported.

Whilst the region has seen a fair amount of rain in the past week there is a warning from a University of Algarve researcher that unless we see a lot more rain over the winter the Algarve will still be in a drought situation. According to Algarve University researcher Nuno Loureiro, if this hydrological year is not “generous”, next year, the water crisis “will break out in full force”.

The south of Portugal is being increasingly affected by drought, and if it doesn’t rain this year, the country will struggle with a “water crisis”, especially in the Algarve and the Alentejo, said researcher Nuno Loureiro. “The reserves we have no longer guarantee a year [of consumption], or guarantee them with many limitations. And faced with this situation, there are no easy answers, no easy solutions, but there are solutions that have to be adopted and go through planning and serious supervision”, he argued.

The same source acknowledged that domestic consumption is among the areas where action must be taken to make water consumption more sustainable, and this “is managed by price, not managed with “pink” advertising campaigns”.

The researcher, who studied water resources, said that management also involves “things that are completely unthinkable in today’s Algarve”, such as, for example, the “spread of private swimming pools”, which he classified as “absurd” in a scenario of water scarcity.

Now a look at some of the other news from the region in the past week.

Legionella’ outbreak closes municipal swimming pools in Olhão stadium

An outbreak of ‘legionella’ led to the temporary closure of the municipal swimming pool complex and the changing rooms at the Olhão Municipal Stadium, the municipality revealed today.

In a statement, Olhão City Council said that signs of the development of ‘legionella’ culture had been detected in those two pieces of equipment, after monitoring the hot sanitary waters of municipal public sports facilities.

In conjunction with the Health Authority , the municipality decreed the closure of the entire swimming pool complex, “to make way for a more in-depth intervention, which may have to involve replacing the components of the hot water system”.

According to the municipality, the closure of the entire pool complex is because the procedures necessary to eradicate the bacteria have not yet had the desired effect.

With regard to the Municipal Stadium, “the results of the last counter-analysis carried out are awaited, which will dictate, if negative, the reopening of the changing rooms”.

Given the signs of an outbreak of ‘legionella’, the immediate temporary closure of the changing rooms of the two facilities was determined, to carry out the necessary procedures for its eradication, “namely through thermal and chemical shocks aimed at controlling the spread”, according to the statement.

“Despite the greater investment in financial and human resources and the maximum attention paid to this issue, the number of suspected occurrences and development of ‘legionella’ cultures in municipal equipment has increased”, says the municipality.

Despite the constraints that these closures cause to users, the municipality considers it “fundamental to eradicate the bacteria by all necessary means, to guarantee safe access for all residents”.

Man Arrested for domestic violence in possession of weapons and ammunition

A 28-year-old man was arrested in the Algarve for domestic violence against his ex-partner, with weapons and ammunition seized from him, GNR announced on Saturday, the 4th .

The arrest took place in the municipality of Faro , with the military finding that the man was attacking and threatening the 27-year-old victim with verbal abuse.

During the execution of a home search warrant, 825 cartridges, 70 ammunition and two shotguns, a pistol, 64 doses of hashish and four doses of cannabis were seized, the Guard said in a statement.

The detainee was presented to the Judicial Court of Faro, on Friday, where preventive detention was ordered, until remote control means were placed.

Preventive arrest for suspect of trying to kill companion in Olhão

The Court of Faro ordered the preventive detention of a man suspected of trying to kill his partner, in Olhão, after she refused to have sexual relations, the Faro District Attorney’s Office reported today. “The Public Ministry requested the preventive detention of the detainee, which was accepted by the Criminal Investigation Judge”, said in a statement the institution responsible for carrying out criminal proceedings in Faro.

The suspect, aged 29, was indicted for the crime of attempted and aggravated homicide, after having tried to stab his partner, aged 23, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, the note reads.

The crime occurred in a room that they both live in in a residence in Olhão, when the detainee “wanted to have sexual relations with his partner and when she refused, he started drinking alcoholic beverages”.

According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office , the suspect, “armed with a knife, wanted to force her to have sex again”, and “in view of her partner’s new refusal, the detainee stabbed her several times in the legs, abdomen and back of the victim, putting her life in danger.”

The man was prevented from continuing by a third person who came to the room, causing him to flee, adds the Public Ministry.

According to a statement from the Judiciary Police (PJ) released on Thursday, the suspect ended up handing himself in hours later to the Public Security Police.

“The aggression was perpetrated in the presence of a child who was staying in the room with the victim, his mother,” specified the PJ.

The victim was examined and treated at the Centro Hospitalar do Algarve and the investigation of this case is in charge of the Southern directorate of the Judiciary Police.

Mother Arrested for Kidnap of Her Own Child

The mother took her daughter from Faro Hospital on Thursday, October 26 during a visit and was tracked down by authorities to a house in Faro and arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, October 31, along with a man who helped her.

After being heard by a judge, the mother was issued a restraining measure preventing her from “approaching the hospital or any other institution where the baby is located.” Meanwhile, the 45-year-old man was placed on the ‘termo de identidade e residência’ scheme, under which he is obliged to report to authorities whenever necessary.

While the baby girl was kidnapped from Faro’s public hospital, she was born in a private hospital, which Faro PJ police boss Fernando Jordão said may have been part of the mother’s plan to keep the child and circumvent the protective measures issued by Portugal’s Family and Minors Court.

Jordão also revealed that the woman, who is being monitored by the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youths, has another child who is institutionalised. Her newborn daughter, who is one month old, returned to Faro Hospital and remains under its care until a decision is made about her future, as she is subject to provisional protective measures by the Family Court.

According to a statement from the Algarve University Hospital Centre (CHUA) sent to Lusa, the baby was in the hospital as part of provisional protective measures for children and youth at risk, “but without a clinical reason and awaiting a court decision on permanent placement.”

Former Algarve mayor, charged in long-running corruption investigation

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued charges for various crimes – including corruption – for the former mayor of Vila Real de Santo António, Conceição Cabrita, construction and property entrepreneurs, a municipal official and a former MP.

The accusation was made as part of the investigation known as Operation Triangle, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) has revealed in a statement from the Évora Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) – pointing out that among the 12 defendants there are “11 natural persons and one legal person”. The defendants include “a former mayor of Vila Real de Santo António, businessmen in the construction and property sectors, a municipal official and a former member of parliament,” the same source told Lusa.

As the source from the Public Prosecutor’s Office explains, the investigation covered the former mayor’s activities between 2019 and 2021 (when she resigned following her arrest), and was triggered by a “process of selling municipal land for the construction of a large-scale property project in Monte Gordo, in municipal public procurement procedures (in which the Vila Real de Santo António City Council was the contracting authority) and in the licensing of a private construction project“.

According to Évora DIAP, the case involves “several offences of passive and active corruption of a political office holder, abuse of power of a political office holder, malfeasance of a political office holder and document forgery“. The same source said that the “municipal political decision-maker” acted “in the exercise and abuse of her public functions and powers” and “intervened in order to achieve advantages for herself and third parties, over time, in various matters within the competence of the municipality and in its geographical area”.

“In the final order, the Public Prosecutor’s Office makes a request for the loss of advantages against several defendants, and a financial and asset investigation is pending in order to possibly make a request for extended loss, with the intervention of the Asset Recovery Office,” the statement continues.

Évora’s DIAP indicated that “closure orders were also issued in relation to related matters”.

The MP recalls that the investigation was conducted by the Évora DIAP and the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) and led to “search and seizure operations in the Algarve, Lisbon, Leiria and Santarém”.

The same source said that these endeavours made it possible to carry out “computer searches and seizures”, dozens of witnesses were interviewed and telephone and similar communications were intercepted, as well as follow-ups with image collection.

Former Vila Real de Santo António mayor Conceição Cabrita was arrested on 13 April 2021 by the PJ on suspicion of irregularities in a property deal in Monte Gordo, and on the same date the municipality was raided.

Conceição Cabrita was elected by the PSD in 2017 to preside over the Algarve municipality, after having been a councillor and vice-president under the previous president, Luís Gomes, and had announced that she would not run again for the position in the elections scheduled for that year.

The day after the police raid, Socialist MP António Gameiro confirmed that the Judicial Police had searched his home and office as part of the case.

On 16 April, Conceição Cabrita, who had announced that she was resigning from her position on the municipal council, and three other defendants were released from the Évora court, with a ban on contacts between them and with António Gameiro. ECO online writing about the various charges suggests that prosecutors believe Conceição Cabrita and António Gameiro received €100,000 and €300,000 respectively over the Monte Gordo property deal.

Until Next week, Stay Safe.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 1st November 2023.

Good morning everyone – Well we have had plenty of rain in the latter half of October, and at long last some for the Algarve. The depressions and storms seem to be developing a frequent intervals at present and those that affected us in Portugal, have impacted with mainly localised flooding and fallen trees. As we have repeatedly said it is important to follow the warnings and advice given by the authorities.

Unfortunately we still see people disregarding these and in Madeira there was the tragic case two days ago of a tourist washed out to sea whilst reportedly taking selfies close to the water’s edge during a storm.  More frequently we see many motorists on social media who do not slow down whilst driving through flooded streets, thereby creating a bow wave that can immobilise the vehicle leaving passengers stranded and exposed in some cases to extreme weather conditions.

Predicting where these storms, that originate mainly in the Atlantic will land is not always easy as their track can be influenced by so many factors. In some cases landing in Spain, France and even northwards to the UK. As I write this report, storm CIARAN (named by the UK Met Office) is forecast to approach the coasts of the north-western quarter of France during the night of Wednesday to Thursday and will move inland during the morning of Thursday.

It is expected to be accompanied by violent winds and a risk of “wave-submersion” phenomenon along the entire Atlantic coast and on the English Channel with very strong waves. The strongest winds will be on the coasts of these departments with 120 to 140 km/h, or even locally 150 km/h.

If you are travelling it is important to be aware of the conditions along your route and destination to determine the risks and in order that you can plan accordingly.

This week will end with some pretty cold weather for the season in parts of the north and by the weekend minimum temperatures will be as low as 3C in several areas of the north and colder in the mountainous areas down to around zero C. And with expected strong winds it will make the cold feeling even more intense. We have also seen the first snows of the season in the Serra da Estrela with a forecast of some more on its way at other mountainous locations.

During the cold weather there are certain precautions to take when it comes to protection from low temperatures. Many domestic accidents are due to the effect of carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, which is odourless and colourless. Also most fatal domestic fires are at night time, caused by faulty heating equipment and not following the safety rules concerning their use.  Please follow our posts on this topic.

Starting today we will also be providing regular reminders on how to clean your land to help prevent rural fires reaching your property and related to this the burning of cut and piled waste. Unfortunately so far in 2023 around half of all fires have resulted from extensive burning/burning of cut and pilled waste/burning of trash and bonfires, which have become out of control. Most important to remember is to seek authorisation if the fire risk is very high/maximum or simply register if the fire risk is below this.

Lastly as Mike Evans reported in his Algarve Report today Safe Communities Portugal and Amigos do Museu do Traje in São Brás de Alportel have joined forces in holding a “Safe Christmas and Festive Period Seminar”. This will take place at Museu do Traje in São Brás de Alportel on Friday 17th November from 1700 hrs to 1900 hrs, and everyone is welcome to attend. More details on our Facebook page and LinkedIn.

We wish you a safe week ahead

News

Lisbon will have 242 video surveillance cameras by 2025

Lisbon, 31 Oct 2023 (Lusa) – Lisbon will have 242 video surveillance cameras throughout the city by 2025, in a municipal investment “in excess of 5.3 million euros”, the chamber reported today, noting that there are currently 33, which is there will be 97 at the beginning of 2024.

In response to questions from the Lusa agency, the Lisbon Chamber, under the presidency of Carlos Moedas (PSD), said that “the municipality makes a positive assessment of the existing video protection system, as a means with preventive capabilities, which allows for rapid diagnosis and remote monitoring, complementing the service provided by the physical presence of the authorities”.

Asked about how many situations were resolved using the visualization of images captured by existing video surveillance cameras in the city – 26 in Bairro Alto since 2014 and seven in the Miradouro de Santa Catarina area since 2022 -, the council sent this request for information to the Public Security Police (PSP), which is the entity responsible for operating the system.

However, the municipality of Lisbon stated that the video surveillance system “constitutes yet another contribution to reinforcing the security of people and property and helping law enforcement to fulfill their role of protecting and guaranteeing the law, primarily supporting prevention, but also the quick response in the event of crimes”.

According to the municipality, the 33 video surveillance cameras currently installed in downtown Lisbon “will be added to another 97 (by public tender), which will begin to be placed at the beginning of next year”: 30 in Cais do Sodré, 17 in Restaurateurs, 20 in Ribeira das Naus and 30 in Campo das Cebolas.

This information had already been released after a restricted meeting of the Municipal Security Council, on October 17, to analyze the situation in the city and the strategic cooperation between the Municipal Police and the PSP, with the mayor of Lisbon defending the reinforcement the number of agents and the implementation of video protection.

“Security is fundamental for Lisbon and we will do everything to maintain and reinforce it”, said social democrat Carlos Moedas, in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

To the Lusa agency, the council said that “in 2024, competitions will also be launched to place another 112 video protection cameras in 11 other areas of the city”: Praça do Comércio, Cais das Colunas, Praça D. Pedro IV, Praça da Figueira, Rua Augusta, Rua do Ouro, Rua da Prata, Rua do Comércio, Rua dos Fanqueiros, Santa Apolónia – Rua Caminhos de Ferro and Santa Apolónia – Avenida Infante D. Henrique.

“In total, an additional 209 cameras will be installed by the end of the mandate [in 2025], totalling 242 video surveillance cameras throughout the city”, indicated the municipality.

In March 2021, the Ministry of Internal Administration authorized the installation of 216 video surveillance cameras in Lisbon, but of these, only seven have been installed so far.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 1st November 2023

by Mike Evans

A very good day to all who have taken the time to read this report. As we come to the end of 2023 we can look back on a number of things of which to be positive about. The main plus point in this year has to be the reduction in fires we have experienced across the Algarve compared to 2022. And where there have been fires the Authorities have been quick to “smother” them early with increased personnel and equipment which has certainly produced the results we all wanted. Our thanks must go to the Bombeiros and all the other Civil protection staff who worked tirelessly throughout the summer to make sure we and our property remain safe.

Our work at Safe Communities continues with an important date for your diaries.

Safe Christmas and New Year Festive Period Seminar – Sāo Brás de Alportel

Safe Communities Portugal and Amigos do Museu do Traje in Sāo Brás de Alportel have joined forces in holding a “Safe Christmas and Festive Period Seminar”. This will take place at Museu do Traje in Sāo Brás de Alportel on Friday 17 th November from 1700 hrs to 1900 hrs, and everyone is welcome to attend.

The aim of the gathering is to learn more about the work of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) and the Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR) (National Road Safety Authority) over the Christmas and New Year festive period, in terms of their priorities and tips we can learn from them in order to have a safe festive period.

The focus will be on:

 Security of property over the Christmas period especially if property will be empty.

 Safe driving.

 Police enforcement and processes, and reporting suspicious activities like crime  On-line scams especially shopping scams and safety tips

Apart from the presenters we are honoured that Coronel Carlos Almeida Comandante do

Comando Territorial de Faro da GNR, as well as Senhor Presidente da ANSR, Professor Doutor

Rui Ribeiro will be present, so this will be a good opportunity to meet them personally

There will be plenty of opportunities for engagement with the presenters, as one of the aims is to discuss and answer your questions, on topics of interest to you.

 As we know during this period, people may be away on holiday leaving their property unoccupied, pre-Christmas shopping on-line with the potential for scams, as well as a seasonable increase in road accidents and issues such as drink driving.

The location is: R. Dr. José Dias Sancho 61, 8150-141 São Brás de Alportel and there is ample parking outside. We hope you can join us for the evening.

Now a look at some of the news that has happened across the region in the past week or so.

 

New route will connect Faro to New York from May 2024

The North American airline United Airlines will have a new route between Faro and New York/Newark from May 2024, said this Thursday, October 26th, the president of the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA). The new air connection will have a frequency of four weekly flights and will be the first route to connect the Algarve to the United States, a market that, according to André Gomes , has been growing “significantly” in the region.

The official said that, in global terms, in the year to August, the North American tourist market grew 29.3% compared to last year and 40% compared to 2019.

“It is extremely positive for the region’s expectations, taking into account the impact that this market already has on the Algarve, both in terms of tourism and due to the presence of investments from large funds and brands”, he said.

For André Gomes, the route reflects the work of RTA, Turismo de Portugal and Faro Airport, which together “have been joining forces to attract airlines interested in the connection between the Algarve and the United States”, he concludes.

Also in the past week, The airline operator Azores Airlines announced they will reinforce connections between Ponta Delgada and Faro with more frequency , which will start next summer , Grupo SATA announced. According to the carrier, “the demand recorded so far has led to an increase in supply, with direct connections on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting on June 2, 2024”.

The operation between the largest Azorean city and the Algarve district capital had been announced in August, but at the time calls were planned twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The flights will depart from Ponta Delgada at 09:00 and from Faro at 13:25, with an estimated duration of two hours and 25 minutes.

“With this investment, the airline increases its offer for passengers and reinforces its position in the national market, also increasing network connectivity in the Azores”, says the note.

The airline operator points out that Faro international airport “represents the main entry point for tourists in the region and the second largest external entry of passengers, nationally”.

In August, SATA indicated that these flights will be carried out “on Airbus A320 equipment with capacity for 168 seats”.

The group recalls that, based on its offer, tourists from North America, for example, can take advantage of the Azores Airlines network to travel to a range of destinations in mainland Portugal (Lisbon, Porto and Faro) and island (Madeira ), and other cities in Europe, such as Paris, Frankfurt, Barcelona or Bilbao.

Azores Airlines is undergoing a privatisation process, with a minimum of 51% and a maximum of 85% of the company’s share capital expected to be sold.

In June 2022, the European Commission approved Portuguese state aid to support the airline’s restructuring of 453.25 million euros in loans and state guarantees, providing for measures such as a reorganisation of the structure and the divestment of a controlling stake (51 %).

Tavira records More than 100 occurrences due to Storm Bernard

The municipality of Tavira recorded more than a hundred incidents resulting from Storm Bernard, which passed through the eastern Algarve on Sunday, October 22nd, the municipality announced . These incidents include falling trees, obstruction of roads, damage to vehicles and minor damage to homes, although there is no record of homeless people.

Several operatives from the Fire Department, the Municipal Civil Protection Service, the Parish Councils and the municipal company Taviraverde were on the ground, some of them still working to restore normality.

The Tavira City Council requests that, in relation to damage to private property that has occurred in a public space, those injured must report the occurrences for analysis by municipal services by filling out a form, which must be sent to the email smpc@ cm -tavira.pt , accompanied by a report from the authorities, photographs, expense budget and proof of ownership.

Ryanair plane Makes Emergency landing at Faro Airport

A plane from the Irish low-cost airline, Ryanair, with 189 passengers on board made an emergency landing yesterday at Gago Coutinho International Airport, in Faro after one of the tyres burst during take-off.

The aircraft, bound for Belfast, had to turn back and circled around in the air, wasting fuel until it could land safely.

PSP make 10 Arrests over the last weekend in Faro

PSP detained 10 people for various crimes in the Algarve over the weekend

The arrests were due to driving under the influence of alcohol and without a licence, disobedience, possession of a prohibited weapon and domestic violence.

The PSP detained ten people, between 00:00 on Friday and 23:59 on Sunday, for various crimes, as part of its operational activity and in pursuit of its mission. According to the Faro PSP District Command, five people were arrested for driving a vehicle with an alcohol content equal to/higher than 1.2g/l; two for driving without a legal licence; one for disobedience; one for possession of a prohibited weapon and the other for domestic violence.

The PSP highlights “the arrest for committing the crime of domestic violence, which occurred in the city of Faro last Saturday afternoon, in which the 20-year-old suspect was on the public street attacking the victim, aged 17 ”. The intervening police officer who tried to stop the attacks, “was threatened with a sharp weapon by the suspect, who then fled. With the support of other police officers, it proved possible to quickly locate, intercept and detain the suspect, as well as seize the bladed weapon he used.”

The District Command of the PSP of Faro states in a statement that “it will remain strongly committed to combating all forms of crime in its area of ​​jurisdiction, and will continue its strategy of systematically carrying out police operations, to prevent and repress crime”.

Watch Out For Counterfeit Olive Oil

The price of olive oil was already expected to rise this year, due to adverse weather conditions, including high temperatures and drought, however, the increase was even greater than initially predicted. This has led to an increase in the production of counterfeit Oil. The Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE ) has dismantled several counterfeit olive oil schemes across the country. This includes everything from the illegal sale of bottles without labels to the marketing of olive pomace oil as extra virgin olive oil.

But How do you know if your Olive Oil is real? According to Executive Digest, “adulterated extra virgin olive oil is one in which the olive juice is diluted with other oils, such as soybean oil. The simplest way to check if the product you purchased is authentic is by its aroma. Extra virgin is produced from fresh olives, so it has an aroma similar to the fruit itself. If you detect an odour similar to cooking oil, there is a high probability that your olive oil is fake.”

There is yet another way to confirm whether we are dealing with counterfeit olive oil. Simply freeze a small amount in an ice container. If it has a consistency similar to butter and maintains its colour, it is extra virgin olive oil. If it doesn’t freeze and has a pasty, whitish texture, it’s probably fake. This is because adulterated olive oil often contains soybean oil in the mixture, which prevents it from freezing.

Tips to protect yourself from buying counterfeit olive oil:

“If the price of olive oil is well below the market average, it is a reason to be suspicious. Producing quality olive oil has its costs, and very low prices may indicate adulteration.

Avoid olive oils that use terms like “Portuguese seasoning” or “Spanish seasoning.” Genuine olive oil is not classified as a “seasoning”.

The date of production, place of origin and origin are indicators of authenticity. Genuine products tend to display this information transparently.

Well-known brands have a reputation to maintain. Choosing them reduces the chances of purchasing a counterfeit product.

Olive oils with certifications such as Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) or Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) have undergone rigorous quality and authenticity controls.”

The colour of olive oil is not a sign of quality. The greener ones are made from greener olives and the more yellowish ones indicate that they come from more mature olives.

Don’t just be guided by acidity, as this aspect represents just one of many olive oil quality parameters.

At home, store the olive oil in a dark place with a ground cork and don’t wait too long to consume it. Store the olive oil in dark glass or stainless steel bottles, avoiding contact with light. Plastic ones are not recommended due to the risk of migration of certain compounds into the oil.

Store the olive oil in a cool, dry place, away from light and heat, avoiding low temperatures (it can become cloudy and solidify, making it difficult to use). Keep the bottle away from strong smells, such as spices,” explains Executive Digest.

Have a good week. Until the next time.

 

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 25th October 2023

Good morning, I would like to start by thanking KissFm radio, particular Owen Gee the host of Solid Gold Sunday, for giving me 7 minutes air time last Sunday to cover the approach of Depression Bernhard.

The timing was important as it enabled us to provide valuable information and advice on action to take in the period leading up to the storms arrival and once it started affecting communities. The topics covered were: avoiding parking your car under trees, securing or taking indoors out door items that could be damaged during the storm, action if caught in floods in your car and various ways to protect ones property.

I hope this message got across to as many people as possible, given that the storm lived up to forecasts with the red rainstorm warning being issued, albeit at the last minute, for the Algarve, with over 170 occurrences, a large number of fallen trees some damaging cars and flooding particularly in Loule and Faro. Winds reached over 100 km/h and rainfall exceeded 80 mm in several places just what had been forecast. It was bad enough in the Algarve, but over the border in Spain the situation was far worse.

Despite all these warnings and advice from both the ANEPC and IPMA, it did not stop a trail of events taking place in Monchique, with photos being published on social media showing a runner in an area where there was clearly heavy rain and very strong winds – judged from the video. I really question with the severe weather conditions about to take place illustrated by the damage actually caused, the event was not postponed, to avoid the risk to participants.

There will certainly be more storms of this nature over the winter period and we ask people to follow the advice of the authorities and organisations planning outdoor activities including sports events to act responsibly – after all it is in everyone’s interest to do so and avoid the emergency services having to place themselves in danger in rescuing people, in situations that could have been avoided.

A reminder that this years A Terra Treme National Earthquake Awareness Exercise, Organised by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority will take place this year on Tuesday 14th November 2023 at 11.14 Hrs. Safe Communities Portugal has supported this exercise each year in a number of ways and will do so again this year. This initiative is part of the activities that form part of the National Strategy for Preventive Civil Protection and aims to empower the population to know how to act before, during and after an earthquake, sensitizing citizens to the fact of living in a risk society, and challenging themselves to get involved in the process of building safer and more resilient communities.

We encourage everyone to get involved by taking part in this short exercise which takes just one minute to perform by registering your details here. https://www.aterratreme.pt/

We wish you all a Safe week ahead

News

Environmentalists ask President of Republic to enforce the Basic Climate Law

Lisbon, 24 Oct 2023 (Lusa) – A group of environmental associations today asked the President of the Portuguese Republic to enforce the Climate Basic Law, approved at the end of 2021, but still without any article respected.

The “inaction of the Portuguese State is especially reprehensible at a time of evident worsening climate urgency”, warn the 13 environmental associations in a letter to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to which the Lusa agency had access.

“The Climate Base Law constitutes several positive obligations in the legal sphere of the State, compliance with which is absolutely fundamental to the success of climate action in Portugal”, consider environmentalists, who accuse the State of not complying with legislation that it itself approved.

At issue is the delay in publishing several measures, which should have been completed by February 2023, such as the “creation of carbon budgets, which should guide national politics and economy”, the “creation of the Climate Action Portal”, a “Climate Impact Assessment Report of Current Legislation”, an analysis of public assets, the “climate risk of financial assets” or the “revision of the legal regime for hydrocarbons”, among other issues.

“To date, none of these instruments have been created, which places the Portuguese State in effective non-compliance with the execution duties resulting from the Basic Law”, warn the environmentalists.

The absence of sectoral plans to apply the basic law is another criticism made by the associations, which ask the President for “intervention with the Government and the Assembly of the Republic” on this topic.

“The lack of implementation of the Climate Base Law constitutes not only a failure of the Rule of Law and representative democracy, but also a violation of the fundamental rights of Portuguese citizens”, can be read in the letter addressed to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The letter is signed by the Last Resort Association; Citizen Academy; Environment in Uraniferous Zones (AZU); Santa Iria da Azóia Heritage, Environmental and Cultural Defence Association (ADPAC); Dunas Livres Association; Climate Centre; Extinction Rebellion; PELO TEJO Movement (Protejo); Anti-Transportation of Live Animals Platform (PATAV); Quercus (National Association for Nature Conservation); Network for Degrowth; Association of Marine Sciences and Cooperation (SCIAENA)) and SOS Racismo Porto.

World “in the wrong direction” to stop deforestation: global loss of forest area increases in 2022

The annual “Assessment of the Declaration on Forests” report says that global deforestation increased by 4% in 2022 and that the world is not on track to meet the commitment outlined for 2030.

Non-governmental organizations and researchers warned this Tuesday in a report that the world is not fulfilling its promise to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, as the global loss of forest area increased in 2022.

Leaders from more than 100 countries and territories, which represent the vast majority of the world’s forests, committed, in 2021, to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030.

But the annual “Assessment of the Declaration on Forests” report revealed that global deforestation increased by 4% last year and that the world is not on track to meet the commitment outlined.

“The goal for 2030 does not exist just to look good. It is essential to maintain a livable climate for humanity,” highlighted Erin Matson, one of the document’s main authors.

Forests are essential habitats for animal life, important regulators of the global climate by absorbing carbon emissions from human activities.

Last year, deforestation was more than 20% higher than it should have been to fulfill the commitment made by leaders. Around 6.6 million hectares of forest were lost, most of which was primary forest in tropical regions.

The assessment, led by more than twenty environmental organizations and research bodies, also warns that forest degradation continues to be a serious problem.

The term degradation refers to a wide range of damages, including forest fires and loss of biodiversity, that affect the overall condition of a forest.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 25th October 2023

 by Mike Evans 

A very good afternoon to you all and especially if you are reading this report for the first time. The object of the report is to give people information that they may not have been aware of which will involve the safety and security of the region. We source the information from a number of news outlets and Government organisations and we always make sure they are as accurate as we can make them.

This week we have finally seen some of the expected rain across the region with a number of places seeing very high winds as well as rain. With the arrival of Storm Bernard to the area, has caused localised flooding but thankfully no personal injuries, but plenty of damage to property and cars. With more rain forecast over the next week we should all take extra care when out on the roads and remember to increase your stopping distance in the wet conditions.The rain and wind that were felt on Sunday, October 22nd, caused damage in the eastern Algarve in municipalities such as Loulé , Faro, São Brás de Alportel, Olhão, Tavira, Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António .

Storm “Bernard” brought flooding, falling trees and other structures, road closures and electricity failures that gave authorities a hard time.

In Loulé, more than 150 incidents were recorded in the municipality, the majority of which were tree falls on public roads, according to a statement from the municipality. There were around 100 operatives from the Municipal Fire Department, Municipal Civil Protection Service, Loulé City Council, Parish Councils and municipal companies on the ground.

The municipality warns residents who have suffered damage to vehicles parked on public roads to go to the Loulé City Council office to report the incident, together with the report from the National Republican Guard, a photograph of the damage and proof of ownership of the vehicle. vehicle.

In São Brás de Alportel, 20 incidents were recorded in 24 hours, with 13 tree falls, two floods, three mass movements, one structure collapse and one patrol. There were 94 Firefighters and City Council services on site.

In Vila Real de Santo António, several trees were felled or destroyed by the wind, in addition to flooded roads and other damage that occurred throughout the municipality. The regional commander of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Richard Marques, said that, until 17:00, a total of 224 incidents were recorded, 145 corresponding to falling trees, 47 flooding, 24 falling structures and some land movements.

“Faro was the most affected municipality so far, where 71 incidents were recorded”, he specified. According to Richard Marques, “there is no record of any victims or personal injuries resulting from the bad weather.

Strong cross winds and rain affected landing and take-off operations at Gago Coutinho International Airport in Faro on Sunday, October 22, having affected more than seven flights, said a source from Portuguese Air Navigation (Nav), in addition to having caused damage in the eastern Algarve between Loulé and Vila Real de Santo António.

According to the source, the bad weather that occurred in the Algarve, namely “crosswinds with gusts approaching 50 knots (around 100 kilometres per hour)”, affected “air take-off and landing operations”.

Due to the wind speed, many aircraft commanders chose not to land or take off, the source highlighted.

However, he added, the improvement in weather conditions allowed the operation to “fully reopen” at 4:50 pm.

According to information available on the ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal portal, as of 3:30 pm, more than seven flights between arrivals and departures to and from cities in Europe had been cancelled.

The Algarve region was under red warning, activated by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere, due to the risk of “strong and persistent precipitation” and whose most critical period of rain would be at 3:00 pm.

Until 6:00 pm it was under orange warning due to wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour and sea agitation, with waves from the southeast measuring three to four metres high and waves from the south measuring six to eight metres high.

In addition to the football match between Moncaparachense and Vitória de Guimarães being interrupted, the Loulé Ladies Open by Cimpor tennis tournament ended up being postponed.

Now a look at some of the other news that has been happening across the region in the past week.

Man detained while trying to sell drugs to tourists

A 41-year-old man was arrested in the late afternoon of Wednesday, October 18, while trying to sell drugs to tourists in Lagos , announced the Public Security Police (PSP).

The arrest was made by the Faro District Command of the PSP, through the Lagos Police Station, during a preventive patrol action in the city centre.

The police noted the presence of the suspect, who was approaching tourists and trying to sell something that, “due to his posture and movement, could potentially be illicit substances”, according to the statement.The suspect, who already has a criminal record in this practice, was approached and searched, and 24 individual doses of hashish and 11 individual doses of cocaine were seized.

After being present at the Lagos Court, the coercive measure of Identity and Residence Term was applied to him.

Sailboat assisted on the Arade River on Maritime Police Day 

The Day of the Maritime Police and the General Directorate of the Maritime Authority, which took place on Sunday, October 22nd, was marked by assistance to a sailboat that was in difficulty on the Arade River, in Portimão, announced the National Maritime Authority .

During the celebrations, while navigation was taking place on the Arade River with the Secretary of State for National Defense, Carlos Lopes Pires, the Chief of Staff of the Navy and National Maritime Authority, Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, and the Director General of Maritime Authority, Vice Admiral João Dores Aresta, the crew of the vessel Cego de Maio detected the sailboat in difficulties due to adverse weather conditions.

Members of the local command of the Portimão Maritime Police and the Ferragudo Life Saving Station were immediately activated, who assisted the sailboat crew member who was physically well and did not need medical assistance. The sailboat was accompanied to the Portimão marina by members of the National Maritime Authority and the local Command of the Portimão Maritime Police took charge of the incident. 

Four detained for various crimes in VRSA, Olhão and Tavira

Four people were arrested on Monday and Tuesday, October 16th and 17th, for committing the crime of resistance and coercion against an employee in Vila Real de Santo António , Olhão and Tavira , announced the Public Security Police (PSP).

At the end of the morning of that day, two suspects aged 42 and 51 directed several insults and threats at two police officers in Vila Real de Santo António, “without there having been any interaction between them”, according to the statement.

At the time of the arrest there was high resistance from the suspects who tried to attack the police, resulting in their immobilisation. At the end of the night, in Tavira, a 31-year-old suspect was approached by the PSP while riding an electric scooter, as there were signs that he was carrying narcotic products.

The suspect disobeyed the order to stop and charged the scooter towards one of the police officers, hitting him in the shoulder area and causing him to fall.

The other police officer present intercepted the suspect and proceeded to immobilise him, always with strong resistance from the scooter driver.

The previous day, in Olhão, after an investigation into domestic violence, an arrest warrant was executed for a 28-year-old suspect, who was present at the Faro Court on Tuesday, with the application of the coercive arrest measure. Preventive.

PJ investigates attempted murder that occurred at a shipyard in Loulé

The Judiciary Police, through the Southern Directorate, arrested a 64-year-old man due to strong evidence of attempted murder, an illicit crime that occurred in the municipality of Loulé, it was announced today.

The crime occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, October 19th, “the attack occurred inside the premises of a shipyard belonging to a company dedicated to metalwork and civil construction, for which the victim and attacker performed occasional work”, details the PJ.

The victim, a 60-year-old man, was attacked “using a sharp weapon, causing injuries to his neck, the severity of which led to his being taken to the Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve”, the note continues .According to what was found, “the aggression resulted in the worsening of the personal relationship between both parties, with, following the altercation, the detained person resorting to a sharp weapon to attempt the victim’s life”, it reads.

Following the steps taken and as a result of the investigative work carried out, “relevant evidence was collected which culminated in the identification and arrest of the presumed perpetrator, formalised yesterday”, Thursday 19 October.

The detainee will be present today for judicial interrogation for the purposes of applying coercive measures deemed appropriate.

The investigation is led by the Loulé Department of Investigation and Criminal Action.

One detained and three accused of drug trafficking

One man was arrested and three others were charged with the crime of drug trafficking in the city of Portimão , on Thursday, October 19th, announced the Public Security Police (PSP).

The action was carried out by the PSP District Command of Faro, through its Investigation Squadron of the Portimão Police Division, following an investigation that was being carried out in recent months.

The suspects carried out their criminal activity in nightlife areas and close to educational establishments, selling directly to consumers.Two home search warrants were issued, with the collaboration of the Republican National Guard, where 203 individual doses of amphetamines and 184 individual doses of hashish were seized, in addition to other articles and documents.

The detainee will be presented to the Portimão Court for interrogation to apply coercive measures.

Man detained at Faro Airport with 10kgs of Hashish

A 55-year-old man was detained at Faro airport on suspicion of drug trafficking , as he prepared to travel to the United Kingdom with 10 kilos of hashish, it was announced today.

In a statement, the Judiciary Police ( PJ ) said that the suspect was preparing to travel alone, “disguising several packages distributed over different parts of his body”.

The man, with a police and judicial record for violent crimes and drug trafficking, also had money with him, in UK bank notes. After attending his first judicial interrogation, in Faro, the coercive measure of preventive detention was applied to him. The investigation continues under the responsibility of the PJ.

And finally some good news for those of us who like the odd glass of local wine! According to Postal newspaper, Algarve wine production this year should register an increase of 5% compared to 2022, with producers managing to counteract the drought situation, revealed the president of the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA).

Speaking to the Lusa agency, Sara Silva said that the expectations of the 50 Algarve wine producers are for production to grow by 5% in 2023, after a decrease of between 6 and 7% in 2022.

“The sector in the Algarve has been adapting, namely with investments made in intelligent irrigation systems and the use of indigenous plants, which has allowed it to fight the drought situation”, explained Sara Silva.

The president of the Algarve Wine Commission highlights that “producers are aware of the need to use effective irrigation systems and are also increasingly aware of issues of environmental sustainability”.

According to figures provided by the person responsible, the growth in production was achieved mainly with the planting of new vineyards.

Have a good week and stay safe…

 

The Azores Situation Report Wednesday 18th October 2023

Captaincy and Navy try to identify object found on Vila Franca islet 

Navy divers, supported by the Port Authority of Ponta Delgada, are trying to identify an object that was discovered near the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, Azores, and which could be a mine, it was revealed today.

“We heard about this find, a ferrous object of some size and spherical shape, early yesterday afternoon [Monday]. As a precaution, as it could be a mine, it is necessary to check what type of object we are talking about. It could just be a very old mooring buoy”,

As a precaution, he stressed, the area around the islet of Vila Franca do Campo was closed, which is prohibited from “any activity or navigation”.

Captain Rafael da Silva detailed that the object was found on Monday morning by recreational divers, but sea conditions did not allow the identification process to begin that day.

“At this moment we are finally able to dive to evaluate and recognize the object. (…) We are fortunate to have the support of the Portuguese Navy, with two divers specialized in this type of matter who serve in command of the Azores Maritime Zone”, he stressed.

The divers are being supported by the military, Captaincy vessels and the Maritime Police.

Rafael da Silva did not want to comment on the antiquity of the object and considered it “untimely” at this point to put forward a date for the end of the process.

If the existence of a mine is confirmed, the captain of the Port of Ponta Delgada highlighted that the deactivation of the device will be carried out by a detachment of Navy divers specializing in explosives.

Civil Protection records 18 incidents on six islands in the Azores 

The Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service of the Azores recorded, from last Sunday until Monday morning, 18 incidents on six islands in the archipelago.

According to a statement from the SRPCBA, following the adverse weather conditions that caused a worsening of the weather in the archipelago, 18 incidents were recorded in total, eight incidents on the island of Terceira, three in São Miguel, two in Pico, two in Santa Maria, two in Faial and one in São Jorge.

The situations reported correspond to falling trees, falling structures, damage to infrastructure, landslides and flooding of a house.

There was not any record of people being hurt or injured.

The following entities have been present at the locations to support and resolve the various situations: Firefighters, Regional Directorate of Public Works and Municipal Civil Protection Services, under the coordination of SRPCBA.

Ponta Delgada with action to reduce the number of homeless people. 

The local authority announces increased support for the population at risk of social exclusion, following reports of several cases in the city. Action is being coordinated with IPSS and the Institute of Solidarity and Social Security

After reporting several cases of homeless people spending the night in various parts of the city, the municipality decided to reinforce support for the population at risk of social exclusion. Thus, together with the entities, a solution will be identified that promotes a new start in life with more dignity and social appreciation for each homeless person.

“The strategy defined by Ponta Delgada City Council, in conjunction with the entities involved, aims to ensure that no one must remain on the street due to the lack of alternatives, the existing responses in the municipality are being expanded, through work in cooperation with all institutions that intervene with this phenomenon, to respond to the new challenges presented by the population at risk of exclusion and promote social cohesion in the municipality of Ponta Delgada”, reads the statement.

This intervention is part of the municipality’s set of actions to address this issue. Recently, it signed a protocol with the Novo Dia Association to finance the “Fora de Horas” project, which aims to involve a street team, during the night, to work directly with homeless people in the city of Ponta Delgada.

According to the study “À Margem – trajectories of street life, presented in 2022 and carried out by the Novo Dia association, the Azores have the highest rate of homeless people in the country, with two homeless people for every thousand inhabitants . Of the 493 flagged on December 31, 2020, 373 were from the island of São Miguel. The municipality of Ponta Delgada had 70% of all homeless people in the Azores

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 18th October 2023

Good morning. Well, if anyone doubted that autumn had arrived, the weather over the last two days from the passing of from Depression Babet, has made up for that.

As is often the case, however, the majority of the rains fell mainly in the Centre and north of the mainland, being less so in the south, where rain is badly need. However the region did experience some heavy showers particularly in Faro, as described by Mike Evans in his Algarve report. To alleviate the drought situation there is a need for persistent rain, probably over several weeks to have any real impact, so that the soil is properly saturated.

As I write this a further period of rain and winds is forecast for 19th/20th with: heavy rain, strong wind and rough seas warnings in place. However this will make little long term difference, the main immediate impact being isolated localised flooding and damaged caused by fallen trees.

ANEPC asks people to be aware of the possibility of falling branches and trees, as a result of stronger wind. Safe Communities suggests therefore to avoid parking your car under trees particularly if the tree is looking in poor condition, if at all possible. With heavy rain the tree is more susceptible to damage, either the possibility of being uprooted or falling branches.

Due to the weather condition we have been posting regular forecasts, warnings and events on our new Safe Communities Portugal Protection against Natural Disasters Facebook Group page. This provides important information and advice which, if followed, will help keep people safe by reducing the impact of weather hazards such as the very high winds in some places. We are pleased to announce therefore that in the first 100 days since it was launched the number of members currently stands at just over 2600, with around 10-15 people joining each day at present! Needless to say we are very pleased with this progress which, is a reflection of interest being shown in the topics we are covering.

Often people fall for scams through being a victim to fraudulent websites – but how do you tell id a website is fraudulent? One of our Facebook followers kindly sent this very useful advice earlier this week.  He explains “When the website opens, look in the search bar, it will show the name of the site, (the URL). Just to the left of it, is a symbol (in Safari and Google) it is a lock, which tells you that the site has an encrypted connection). Click this lock. On the small panel that opens is a button marked ‘Show Certificate’ or “Connection is Secure” followed by “Certificate is Valid”. Click this and you will see who the site is registered to. You can check if the certificate is in date. If a site looks a bit off then check this certificate and then if – and only if – you believe the site to be genuine, then enter the site. Cyber criminals are really clever at cloning sites but the certificate should tell the truth”.

Lastly a return to the weather. It appears from the warnings and weather maps that following an improvement today 18th, that the weather will generally deteriorate on 19th/20th October, with more warnings at orange level, with rough seas with waves that could reach up to 14 metres in height in some areas of the west coast and wind gusts up to 110 km/h, especially on the coast and in the highlands. As such it is very important to monitor the warnings in place and the advice to the public.

With that our team wishes you a safe and nice week ahead.

News

Civil Protection records around 400 incidents across the country due to the weather

394 incidents were recorded, of which 142 in the municipality of Lisbon and 42 in the Setúbal Peninsula. The incidents are mainly related to falling trees, falling structures, cleaning roads and flooding.

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority recorded 394 events related to bad weather between 8pm 16thand 7am 17th October 2023, the majority in Greater Lisbon and the Setúbal Peninsula, which did not cause any casualties.

No one can guarantee that there is no terrorism in any country in the world”

President Marcelo was in the country this Tuesday where all the attention was focused due to an attack, which caused the death of two people. Despite this “context of concern”, the head of state states that he “learned” what happened and Europe, in particular, has structures prepared to prevent and act in the face of terrorist acts.

The first day of the Portuguese head of state’s visit to Belgium was marked by a terrorist attack that killed two people. Without wanting to “speculate”, President Marcelo highlights that “unpredictability” is one of the characteristics of terrorism, but assures that “the structures in Europe” and in Portugal are “prepared to prevent and try to confront” these situations.

Marcelo was already in Brussels, for a state visit to the country, when it was news around the world that two people had been shot by an individual in the heart of Brussels. From the outset, in a note published on the Presidency’s website, “he expressed his solidarity with King Philippe of the Belgians and King Charles Gustav of Sweden, and his condemnation of the attack (…) which killed innocent Swedish citizens”.

By Tuesday, “normality” appears to have returned to the city, he highlighted in statements to journalists, with “very quick and effective action of the Belgian authorities”.

Still, he highlighted, “it is clear that everyone is aware that one of the characteristics of terrorism is its unpredictability. (…) That was the word he wanted to give: no one can guarantee that there is no terrorism in any country in the world.”

Now “what is certain is that the structures in Europe, and clearly in Portugal, are naturally prepared to prevent and try to face, as far as possible, this situation”.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 18th October 2023

by Mike Evans

With the first of the heavy rain hitting the Algarve region this week it is a good time to check that your properties are water tight. With many houses now having gutters, and over the summer the winds may have blown leaves into them causing a blockage, it is probably a good time to check that they are clear so the water has a place to flow away from the house. With the rain comes the issue of slippery road surfaces so make sure a little extra care is given when coming to a sudden stop. The number of accidents on our roads is on the increase and the change in the weather can only mean a further increase so please be careful on the roads. At Sea the conditions are changing as well. The Algarve region and the entire Portuguese coast are under orange warning due to sea unrest and waves from the west measuring 4.5 or 5.5 metres, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

Now a look at some of the stories making the news across the region in the last week.

Rain causes flooding in arteries in the centre of Faro

The intense rain recorded early in the morning in the Algarve caused the flooding of some roads, with downtown Faro being the most affected area, revealed a Civil Protection source .

According to the District Relief Operations Command (CDOS) of Faro, a total of 19 incidents were recorded caused by the rain that fell shortly after 8am, “the majority of which are the most significant recorded in the city of Faro”.

“We received alerts about the flooding of some streets in the city centre [of Faro] which affected car and pedestrian traffic, but without any significant material damage being recorded”, specified the same source. The source said that, about an hour later, “around 9 am, the rain stopped, the water was drained through the storm systems and the situation returned to normal”.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed the district of Faro under yellow warning, until Thursday, due to the forecast of periods of rain or showers, sometimes heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds that could reach 100 kilometres/hour in the highlands.

On the other hand, the district is under orange warning, due to sea unrest, where waves are expected from the western quadrant measuring 5 to 5.5 metres, reaching a maximum height of 10 metres.

Mini tornado causes damage in Choça Queimada

A mini tornado that occurred on the morning of Tuesday, October 17th, caused damage in Choça Queimada, in the municipality of Castro Marim , according to Arenilha TV.

The meteorological phenomenon was accompanied by heavy rain and winds for a few minutes, destroying the roof of a house, the tiles of which were later removed by firefighters.

The locality of the parish of Odeleite also suffered other damage, such as the destruction of trees. There were a dozen operatives from the Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim Fire Department, the Municipal Civil Protection Service and the National Republican Guard, accompanied by five vehicles.

Algarve under orange warning due to sea unrest

The Algarve region and the entire Portuguese coast are under orange warning due to sea unrest and waves from the west measuring 4.5 or 5.5 metres, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

The districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real will be under yellow warning today due to the forecast of rain, sometimes heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms.

These three districts will be under warning between 12:00 and 18:00 today and then between 00:00 on Tuesday and 00:00 on Wednesday. IPMA also issued an orange warning for the entire Portuguese coast due to sea unrest and yellow for 14 districts due to rain, which could be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms.

The bad weather forecast for the next few days led the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) to issue a warning to the population on Sunday, warning of the possibility of urban flooding, floods and landslides.

In the notice, ANEPC calls for the “adoption of appropriate behaviour” to prevent consequences of bad weather, namely unblocking water drainage systems, fixing loose structures”.

He also asked for care when driving near trees, due to the possibility of falling branches due to the wind, avoiding driving near the coastline and riverside areas, not carrying out activities related to the sea, adopting defensive driving and not crossing flooded areas.

In a note released today, IPMA indicates that the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Setúbal, Beja and Faro will be under orange warning due to the forecast of west waves with 4.5 to 5, 5 metres, with a maximum height of 9 metres between 06:00 and 21:00 on Tuesday.

These districts will then go on yellow warning between 9pm on Tuesday and 3am on Wednesday.

With regard to rain, the IPMA issued it for the districts of Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, Coimbra, Leiria, Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Leiria, Lisbon and Santarém between 00:00 and 15:00 on Tuesday .

The 14 districts and Setúbal will also be under yellow warning between 00:00 and 18:00 on Tuesday due to the forecast of strong winds from the southern quadrant, with gusts of up to 75 kilometres per hour, with up to 100 kilometres per hour. time in the highlands. The orange warning indicates a meteorological situation of moderate to high risk and the yellow warning is issued by IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the meteorological situation.

Man helped on Monte Gordo beach after feeling unwell

A 61-year-old man was helped during the afternoon of Thursday, October 12th, after feeling unwell with chest pains on Monte Gordo beach , in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António , announced the National Maritime Authority .

The alert was given at 4:30 pm by the victim himself and elements of the “SeaWatch” project and INEM were immediately activated on site.

The victim was promptly assisted upon arrival at the scene and was subsequently transported, via Amarok vehicle, to the INEM ambulance and to a hospital unit. The local Command of the Maritime Police of Vila Real de Santo António took charge of the incident.

PSP arrests three suspects for the crime of domestic violence

The District Command of the PSP of Faro arrested, in recent days, three suspects of the crime of domestic violence, with two of them having been applied to the most serious measure of coercion (preventive detention), reported this Friday (13th) that police force.

Two of the suspects were detained in Portimão , following “reports of domestic violence” presented to the Police Division of that city, which, given “its seriousness and pressing need for measures to safeguard the victims’ safety, gave rise to the development of very rapid measures of evidence collection by the Portimão Criminal Investigation Squadron”, can be read in a statement. The Portimão Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants with a view to applying coercive measures to the suspects.

During the morning of this Thursday, the suspects, aged 33 and 51, were located, detained and present in court, with one of them being subject to a preventive detention measure and to the other a measure prohibiting contact and approaching the victim, supported by electronic control”, details the note.

The third detainee mentioned above, “resulted from an investigation carried out by the Criminal Investigation Brigade of the Olhão Police Station, and the suspect, aged 36 and with a history of drug use, had been recording repeated episodes of increasingly violent actions to with the victim, so for their protection, it was urgent to apply more effective coercive measures”, the note continues. Based on the evidence already collected, the Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to “issue an arrest warrant targeting the suspect”, which was carried out on Wednesday, the 11th. the “measure of preventive detention coercion”, specifies.

Man’s body found on Armona beach

The body of a 27-year-old man was found this Wednesday morning, October 11th, on Armona -Ria beach, in the municipality of Olhão , announced the National Maritime Authority. The man is of English nationality, but so far the causes behind this occurrence are unknown.

The alert was given at 08:00 by a member of the public who was in the area, and crew members from the Olhão Lifeguard Station, members of the local Command of the Olhão Maritime Police and the Police had to immediately move to the area. The body was in a prone position and showed signs of blood on the head.

Death was declared by the health delegate and the body was later transported to the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Faro.

The Olhão Maritime Police Local Command took charge of the incident and the Judiciary Police is investigating the case.

And to close this newsletter, a “good news story” and recognition on a countrywide basis for the Algarve Food Bank. Banco Alimentar do Algarve, has been distinguished in the 11th edition of the MSD Maria José Nogueira Pinto award. The ceremony took place at the Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira, in Lisbon, and was attended by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic, and Manuel Pizarro, Minister of Health.

The fourth largest food bank in the country won with a project that aims to improve the distribution of food to the most needy in the Algarve region. The project, called “E-Integrar”appears within the scope of the Associação Pró-Partilha e Inserção do Algarve, with the purpose of boosting the Algarve Food Bank.

This project will receive €15,000 euros  that will be used to build a digital platform for managing and distributing food support, with the aim of meeting the population’s essential needs, without them having to expose themselves. E-Integra allows the food bank to cross-reference all the information of those interested in receiving support, ensuring that the food reaches those who really need it. Furthermore, the project aims to impose greater justice and equity in the distribution of food.

In collaboration with the University of Algarve, the Algarve Health Administration and the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto, E-Integrar takes into account the nutritional criteria of foods, in order to prepare healthier baskets .

Nuno Cabrita Alves, president of the BAA, emphasised that this is “a victory that highlights the work of Banco Alimentar do Algarve and highlights its position in the country.  It is important to thank all the partners, institutions and volunteers who have always supported Banco Alimentar do Algarve”, he said.

Seasonal work linked to tourism, low wages and rising inflation have led to an increase in requests for help from the Algarve Food Bank. “We count, more than ever, on the support of volunteers to be able to support the thousands of families in need in the Algarve region”, appealed Nuno Cabrita Alves.

At the moment, the Algarve Food Bank helps 22,500 people, a number that exceeds the 15,500 people who were being supported in the pre-covid-19 pandemic period. Our warm congratulations from us all at Safe Communities.

 

Portugal Safety and Security Report Wednesday 11th October 2023

Good morning – Well the hot weather and heatwave continues. However, it is not just the mainland but Madeira as well.

The record temperature in October in Madeira has been broken twice within four days, as a result of the persistence of very high maximum temperatures. On October 5th a new record in October had been recorded in Madeira, 34.7°C in Funchal/Meteorological Observatory, but it is now surpassed throughout the Region, where for the first time in the month of October a temperature of 36.4ºC was recorded, the new absolute record for this month in Madeira.

The Archipelago islands maintain Orange Warning until October 13 at 00h00. Since midnight of October 4th that the south coast has been under orange warning for hot weather, a very unusual situation.

There have also been several rural fires in Madeira the latest being on the slopes of the parish of Arco da Calheta, adjacent to Paul da Serra. The ICNF has informed that “the use of all the walking routes in the Rabaçal area are prohibited. Anyone travelling to Madeira or in Madeira should follow the warning and take care. The temperatures are very high and with the steep hills, in the centre part of the island fires can be very difficult to suppress resources on the ground.

It is difficult to determine what will be the final outcome of Hamas attack on Israel. Should it develop into a larger regional escalation involving other neighbouring countries, is a frightening thought, with the potential for a far greater loss of life to what we have already seen in the last few days, not to mention the displacement of hundreds and thousands of civilians. Coming on the back of the Ukraine/ Russia war and recent major disasters such as recent earthquakes in the far east and extensive flooding, which have already cost the lives of tens of thousands of people, this latest disaster is something the world does not need.

Portugal has acted swiftly in trying to protect its citizens in Israel by arranging flights and it is understood that nearly 200 Portuguese have expressed the wish to be removed using the special flights arranged by the Portuguese government. There will be other countries also making similar arrangements. At least 15 airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to Israel including TAP. It goes without saying that anyone planning holidays in the region, should very carefully check the situation which could change suddenly, should the situation escalate.

Returning to the weather! This week started without major changes, with unusually high temperatures from north to south of mainland Portugal. However, a change in the weather is expected within a few days, which will result in a situation more in line with the time of year. Here’s the forecast! Very unusual for an October and the middle of a climatological autumn, taking into account that this very hot and stable environment is more typical of the summer season than the one we are in now.

On Friday 13th, possibly from the second half of the day, not only is a thermal drop expected, which will be very noticeable, but also denser, low-altitude cloud cover. The winds will blow predominantly from the West and Southwest (stronger in areas where rain is expected) and the perception of an Atlantic front approaching will be increasingly noticeable. This system is expected to dump locally persistent rain of low to moderate intensity in the Minho region, occasionally heavy.

As the hours go by, probably for a good part of the day on Saturday 14th, the precipitation will spread to more regions, such as the Porto Metropolitan Area, Aveiro Region , districts of Vila Real and Viseu, Northeast Trás-os-Montes , Coimbra, Guarda and in parts of the districts of Leiria, Lisbon and Santarém.  Whether or not this will reach the south of the country remains to be seen, but do not hold your breath. Even if it does so, we need plenty of rain to saturate the soil to have any impact on the drought situation.

The amount of water stored in river basins is showing a steep decline in some areas and is well below historic averages in the south of the country. It is more important than ever to conserve water at this time. We all have a part to play. Safe Communities has a feature on this topic this Thursday 12th October in the Portugal Resident.

Have a good week ahead,

News

More than 17 thousand drivers caught speeding in seven days

Lisbon, 10 Oct 2023 (Lusa) – More than 17 thousand drivers were caught speeding during the seven days of the “Travel without rush” campaign and around 80% were fined through the National Road Safety Authority’s radars, it was released today.

The data is part of the “Travel without rush” campaign run by the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), National Republican Guard and Public Security Police, which took place between October 3rd and 9th, with the aim of alerting drivers to risks of driving at excessive speed, as it is one of the main causes of accidents on the roads.

In a joint statement, those three entities indicate that 4.1 million vehicles were monitored using radar speed control, 94.8% of which by the National Speed ​​Control System (SINCRO), under the responsibility of the National Road Safety Authority.

Of the 4.1 million vehicles inspected, 17.4 thousand were traveling at excessive speed, and of these 3.3 thousand were detected by the security forces’ radars and 14.1 thousand by ANSR’s SINCRO.

The PSP, GNR and ANSR also report that, during this campaign, 2,386 accidents were recorded, resulting in 10 fatalities, 50 serious injuries and 733 minor injuries.

This campaign is part of the 2023 National Inspection Plan and has been carried out annually by ANSR, GNR and PSP since 2020, with themes defined based on European recommendations established for each year.