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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.

 

The Azores Situation Report Wednesday 11th October 2023

Delta launches first Portuguese coffee produced in the Azores. 

Delta launched the first Portuguese coffee entirely produced in the Azores, an archipelago that has “very favourable conditions” for “extreme quality” production, as revealed today by the group’s executive president.

“The most special thing of all is making the impossible possible. Europe does not have the climatic and land conditions to produce coffee. What we called it was ‘Impossible Coffee [Café Impossível]”, said Rui Miguel Nabeiro in statements to the Lusa agency.

And he added: “Europe, being one of the largest consumers, did not produce coffee and now it has become possible to produce coffee in Europe, particularly in Portugal and the Azores”.

Delta Cafés announced today in Lisbon the launch of the Azores coffee batch, which resulted from a partnership between the Government of the Azores and the Association of Azorean Coffee Producers, which will be available in “Delta The Coffee House Experience” stores.

The group’s executive director recalled that the “dream” of producing coffee in Portugal began in 2018, when the company joined International Coffee Partners.

That year, Delta became aware of the existence of small coffee producers in the Azores and the following year it promoted a study to “understand which coffee species” were most suitable for the Azorean climate, an investigation that resulted in a report delivered to the regional executive.

“Over the last four years, we have been supporting all small coffee producers in the Azores. At this point, as there is already some coffee, we ended up being able, commercially, to launch a batch with 100% Portuguese coffee, 100% coffee from the Azores”, he highlighted.

The coffee now available is Arabica, but Rui Miguel Nabeiro highlights that the Azorean islands can produce other types of coffee.

“The Azores have a very favourable climate. It is a very humid climate, with constant rain and mild temperatures. The volcanic land itself, which we would think would make plantation difficult, ends up having, at the end of these last four years of studies, optimal conditions to produce at least six species of coffee,” he stated.

Wine in Azores celebrates 15 years of promoting wines and products across borders. 

‘Wine in Azores’, which takes place from the 20th to the 22nd of October, in Ribeira Grande, in the Azores, celebrates 15 years, in an event designed to promote wines, meat and fish across borders, was announced today.

The event organized by Gorgeous it’s Azores takes place at the São Miguel Exhibition Park, located on the premises of the Associação Agrícola de São Miguel, in Santana, and has a tasting area and a restaurant area with bars, gin tasting and sales of wines, in addition to the presence of regional and national ‘chefs’.

For the person responsible for the organization, Joaquim Coutinho, “having managed to create a successful event like this over 15 years is special”, adding that “the growth of tourism in the Azores has resulted in an increase in the presence of tourists at ‘Wine in Azores’.

1st edition of solidarity trail in the Military Zone of the Azores 

The Military Zone of the Azores (ZMA) organizes on Sunday, in Sete Cidades, in São Miguel, in the Azores, an 18-kilometer trail race and an 11.5-kilometer walk, events open to institutions, clubs, sports organizations and population.

The initiative, takes place because of the celebrations of the 187th anniversary of the ZMA, which throughout 2023 will hold several events, covering the military, sporting, cultural and religious spheres, to promote “interaction with local institutions and the population in a more comprehensive way”.

The sporting event in Sete Cidades has a charitable nature, as the funds raised through the registration of athletes and participants will be donated to a Social Solidarity Institution in the municipality of Ponta Delgada.

 

The Algarve Situation Report Wednesday 11th October 2023

by Mike Evans

With the weather across the Algarve in particular still providing us with warm sunshine, it is a good time to remember that there is still the chance of wildfires as we have had an unprecedented run of extremely hot weather since the early part of summer. There are 8 municipalities across the Algarve on maximum alert for fires. On average temperatures have been around 5 degrees warmer for this time of year than we have seen for the past couple of years so it is important that we continue to be on the lookout for any signs of fires.

At the same time we continue to see the reservoirs that feed the Algarve with water, dropping even lower with some at only 22% of their capacity. We should all continue to try and save water and hope that the forecast of rain towards the end of this week is correct. If we do see some downpours then we must all be aware of the possibility of localised flooding as the hard ground will not be able to absorb the rainfall if it is torrential.

On Monday, October 9th, the 16 municipalities of the Algarve signed a protocol with the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) to implement a set of good practices that are more friendly to the elderly, which will later be extended to the entire country .

“The Algarve will be a guide of good practices in order to favour environments and cities with measures that provide older people with well-being and health, among other things”, said the Secretary of State for Health Promotion, Margarida Tavares, on the sidelines of a meeting on the National Program for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

At the meeting, held in Loulé , proposals were presented for implementing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project, with measures that will be tested in the Algarve, and are expected to be expanded nationally in 2025. The meeting also included a discussion on health policies and initiatives implemented in the different Member States of the WHO European region that aim to promote the health, well-being and quality of life of older people, in a scenario of increasing longevity.

During the debate, some examples of good practices were given to support the daily lives of older people in sectors such as transport, health, cultural activities, security and social protection.

“We have already developed many of the good practices mentioned, but not all municipalities have the possibility of moving forward at the same speed”, said Osvaldo Gonçalves, mayor of Alcoutim, one of the oldest municipalities in the Algarve.

For the vice-president of the Algarve Intermunicipal Community (AMAL), with the association of municipalities as the coordinating entity, “a better job can be done at regional level to achieve the objectives”.

According to DGS technicians, the objective is, by the end of 2024, to “involve more and more municipalities in this movement”, so that by 2025 we can “move towards a national program”.

“The aim is for there to be standardisation and coordination that will expand and be tested here”, in the Algarve, explained Margarida Tavares.

This entire discussion is based on a good practice guide prepared by the WHO in which elderly people were asked, in discussion groups, to describe the advantages and obstacles they encounter in eight areas of life in the city.

In most cities, reports from older people were complemented through contributions from discussion groups made up of carers and service providers from the public, voluntary and private sectors.

In practical terms, it is concluded that an elderly-friendly city adapts its structures and services so that they include and are accessible to older people, with different needs and abilities.

The network of cities that try to follow this best practice guide includes 1445 cities around the world, among which 14 are Portuguese, namely Castro Marim. Here at Safe Communities we applaud this initiative.

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

Man detained in Olhão on suspicion of sexual abuse of minors

The Southern Directorate of the Judiciary Police identified and detained a man, aged 75, due to strong evidence of committing several crimes “against sexual freedom and self-determination”, crimes committed against two minors “from his family circle”. Both parties reside in the municipality of Olhão, the PJ reported today.

The sexual assaults took place, according to the PJ, at different periods, in 2022, when the children, aged eight and 15, foreigners, “came to live with their mother in Portugal, settling in the city of Olhão”, read in the note.

Following the investigation, it was possible to “collect various pieces of evidence”, namely “reports of the various sexual assaults perpetrated by the now detained man”, he details. The facts spread “over the last year, having only ceased after a complaint to this Judiciary Police, formalised by the mother of colleagues who attended the same educational establishment as the victims, to whom the facts had been confided”, explains the PJ.

The sexual assaults “always took place in an environment completely controlled by the detained person, an individual who was a regular visitor to the minor’s family, and always on occasions when they were alone”, the statement continues.

The set of steps taken allowed “the collection of relevant evidence, culminating in the arrest of the suspect”, this Tuesday, the 10th, awaiting presentation before the competent judicial authorities for judicial interrogation and application of coercive measures deemed appropriate.

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

Tourist boat captain dies trying to dock at Portimão Marina

The captain of a maritime tourist vessel died today when trying to dock the boat, with 16 people on board, at the Portimão Marina, said the captain of the port of Portimão.

According to Rodrigo González dos Paços, the captain was in the docking manoeuvre “when he fell into the water and the vessel passed over him”, and the boat was stopped by the second commander and the victim was taken to the pier with a dead body.

The remaining 14 occupants (tourists) suffered minor injuries, 11 of which were treated on site by the emergency and resuscitation medical vehicle team (VMER) and three were taken to the hospital in Portimão (district of Faro) for observation. Recognizing that this is not a usual accident, the captain of the port of Portimão ordered the opening of an investigation and communicated the facts to the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), which must now open a criminal investigation.

The vessel involved in the accident is approximately eight metres long and is semi-rigid, with capacity for 20 people.

Passenger detained at Faro airport with 1205 doses of cocaine

A passenger who intended to fly to Milan, Italy, was arrested on Monday, October 2, at Gago Coutinho Airport, in Faro , in possession of 1,205 doses of cocaine , revealed the Public Security Police.

According to a statement from this security force, when the suspect was searched to access the restricted area, private security detected him trying to hide a package in his pants, which was later found to contain doses of cocaine.

The detainee was brought before the judicial authority and the coercive measure of preventive detention was applied to him, according to the same note.

Ten detained in investigation into drug trafficking in the region

Ten people were arrested for drug trafficking , after an investigation that lasted around ten months and spanned the entire Algarve region, revealed the GNR.

According to a statement, the military arrested three women and seven men between the ages of 23 and 50 on Monday, October 2, for drug trafficking in the Algarve region.

The GNR also states that, as part of an investigation into trafficking in narcotic products that lasted around ten months and spread across the entire Algarve region, the Guard soldiers carried out police investigations that allowed it to be established that the individuals were engaged in drug trafficking. drug and which were organised in a drug distribution network for sale to consumers in the Algarve region.

According to the GNR, following the investigations, 34 search warrants were executed, 15 home search warrants and 19 non-home search warrants, namely 14 in vehicles, on a vessel, in an establishment, two in warehouses and another in a garage, in various locations. from the municipalities of Albufeira, Loulé , Faro, Olhão and Portimão.

The actions culminated in the arrest of the ten suspects and the seizure of various material related to illicit activity, adds the GNR in the note.

Among the seized material are 500 doses of hashish, 334 doses of cocaine, four doses of liamba, 3.23 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), 1.1 grams of CBD (cannabidiol) hashish concentrate, four hallucinogenic mushroom capsules and a pistol hidden on an MB card (ATM).

The GNR investigation had the support of the PSP, with a total of 147 operatives. The detainees were presented to the Loulé Judicial Court for the application of coercive measures.

Two arrested for shoplifting and vehicle theft

Two men aged 23 and 38 were arrested on Tuesday, October 3, for stealing from a commercial establishment and a vehicle in the municipality of Tavira , announced the National Republican Guard ( GNR ).

After being alerted about the theft at the commercial establishment, GNR soldiers went to the location, from where the suspects fled, but ended up being intercepted and detained.

During the police investigation, 57 packs of tobacco, a vehicle, two cell phones, a brush cutter and a food vending machine were seized. The detainees were presented to the Tavira Department of Investigation and Criminal Action for the application of coercive measures.

The action was reinforced by the Territorial Post of Castro Marim, Vila Real de Santo António, Alcoutim and with the support of the Public Security Police of Tavira.

Have a safe week until the next time..

 

Azores Situation Report Wednesday 4th October 2023

Graciosa is an “example island for the use of renewables”. 

The president of the Regional Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) considered that Graciosa Island is an example in terms of the use of renewable energy, a situation that also places the archipelago as an “example of the energy transition”.

José Manuel Bolieiro, within the scope of the statutory visit to the island of Graciosa, visited the ‘Graciolica’ project today, a hybrid energy system that integrates a wind farm, a photovoltaic plant and a battery plant and, due to its energy production capacity, admitted that it is of “an example of the energy transition” that is being carried out in the Azores.

He mentioned that the island already has a “magnificent” track record in the combined solution of wind and photovoltaic energy and noted that “there are already long periods, magnificent periods, of 100% renewable [energy] use for distribution on the grid”.

“What turns Graciosa into an island that is an example of the use of renewables, decarbonization of our economy, reduction of carbon emissions and, why not say so, also placing the Azores as leaders in the example of energy transition”, he stated.

The head of the Azorean executive highlighted the fact that the executive he leads is trying to ensure that the electrical transition is carried out in production and also in consumption habits, with the transition in electrical consumption, to reduce thermal solutions for daily use in homes, vehicles and industry.

Graciolica’s hybrid energy production system began producing electricity and supplying it to Graciosa Island on August 21, 2019.

During the visit of the president of the Government of the Azores, the operational director of Graciolica, Duarte Silva, informed that the island of Graciosa has, on average, 143 days per year in which the electrical supply is made by renewable energy and, on average, “every three calendar years there is a year” in which the energy consumed is “100% renewable”.

“These numbers, I think make this project unique in the world. Because, in fact, the renewable percentage of 60%, there may eventually be islands that already accompany us, but having a third of the year 100% renewable is a differentiating aspect that we have not yet found in other places”, he declared.

Since the project began operating, 8.9 million liters of diesel have been saved at the Eletricidade dos Açores (EDA) hydroelectric plant and, between July 18, 2019 and August 31, 2023, 8.2 million litres of diesel were saved. millions of euros.

The Graciolica project was supported by the Government of the Azores with 4.5 million euros as non-refundable funds and 2.9 million as refundable funds.

The Government of the Azores ends today a two-day statutory visit to Graciosa Island.

According to the Statute of the Azores, the Regional Government must visit each of the islands in the archipelago at least once a year, with the obligation to meet the Government Council on the island visited.

Dog collected for alleged mistreatment in Ponta Delgada 

An American Pit Bull Terrier dog was collected in Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, on suspicion of “mistreatment and lack of living conditions”, the PSP announced today.

According to the PSP Regional Command, the situation occurred on September 29th in the parish of Fajã de Cima, “with the suspicion that a dog showed clear signs of malnutrition and lack of living conditions”.

The police determined that there was “material of a criminal nature”, having raised “a report for the commission of the crime of mistreatment of pet animals, as well as material of an administrative nature” related to the registration, insurance, vaccination and housing conditions of the animal, reads a statement from the PSP.

Thus, considering “safeguarding the well-being of the canine”, the Police Inspection Brigade, in collaboration with the Municipal Kennel of Ponta Delgada, collected the animal, which is currently “in complete safety and with dignified and adequate nutritional conditions, hygiene and habitability”, adds the PSP.

Altice Portugal and Thothx reactivate teleport on the Azorean Island of São Miguel 

Altice Portugal and ThothX will reactivate a teleport on the island of São Miguel with deep space radar capabilities, the two companies announced today in a joint statement.

According to the companies, the space sector is “considered to have great potential for the future, particularly in the areas of security and space communications, central to this project, which includes the remodelling of a 30-meter telecommunications antenna, located on the island of São Miguel”.

The rehabilitation of the teleport and the conversion of the antenna “will contribute to the observation of space traffic in geostationary orbits and to the safety of European space assets”, says the statement.

“This agreement reinforces, on the one hand, the position of Portugal as a strategic European telecommunications’ ‘hub’ and the Azores archipelago as an Atlantic ‘hub’ for Space and, on the other, Altice’s strategy as a ‘player’ in the communications map and gateway to Europe, connecting continents by space, air, land or submarine”, he adds.

For ThothX, a world leader in the data transmission sector, this project is part of a “global coverage strategy with a 46-meter antenna operational in Canada, the remodelling project for a 30-meter antenna in Australia and the remodelling of the Azores to achieve 95% coverage of geostationary orbits”.

According to the press release, “several Portuguese R&D (research and development) institutions have already signalled interest in a potential future collaboration in radio astronomy studies, an aspect of great importance for the company, whose collaborations with the Canadian academy have been going on for some years”.