At 7am on Wednesday, Palma Police established access controls at the old prison in the city, where around 200 homeless people are living. Social services were also in attendance, the town hall finally taking eviction measures that it had intended almost a year ago.
On Wednesday and Thursday, a census of all the people living there is to be carried out, and on Friday a meeting of the town hall's governing board will approve the procedure for recovering possession of the old prison.
Those occupying the building will have five days to make any relevant submissions. Once this period has ended, a final order will be issued requiring the occupants to vacate the building within a maximum of four days. In case of resistance, the matter will be referred to a court.
Javier Bonet, Palma's deputy mayor, said on Tuesday that efforts have been made in recent weeks to identify the occupants and to offer them assistance. Matters have come to a head because of safety fears. There have been four fires at the old prison over the past few days, Bonet adding that groups of people "causing conflict" have been moving in; there is a risk to the people in the prison and to the public in general.
This increase in conflict, Bonet explained, has not been confined to "isolated incidents". "It is a prolonged situation stemming from disputes between various groups."
With the eviction under way, he said the town hall will be seeking the assistance of the Spanish Government delegation in the Balearics, the Bishopric of Mallorca, the Balearic Ports Authority and the Army in trying to find temporary accommodation.
The Bishopric has expressed its "availability to do whatever is needed". "We will work through our charitable and social services department and be prepared to help these people individually. We need to assess their situation on a case-by-case basis in collaborating, as always, to help the vulnerable."
The ports authority is an option, Bonet argued, because of the facilities created in the port for migrants. "Sixty per cent of the prison's residents are undocumented immigrants." However, the modules in the port are meant to only be for one night for migrants who arrive on small boats. The minimum number of people who can be accommodated is 136.
The opposition at the town hall has been quick to criticise Bonet. PSOE have stated that the responsibility lies with the town hall, because the building belongs to the town hall. Coordination with the Mallorca Institute of Social Affairs (Council of Mallorca) is necessary. "Meanwhile, Mayor Jaime Martínez is shirking his responsibility; he has allowed the situation to reach its current state. He is irresponsible and only concerned with his grandiose schemes.
"Eviction from the old prison will simply shift the problem to the surrounding area. First they remove the people, and then they ask for help from other authorities."