Sabadell Mayor Advocates for Police Reinforcement and Generalitat Budgets
Sabadell, Barcelona, March 15, 2026 – Marta Farrés, the socialist mayor of Sabadell (Barcelona), has highlighted the critical need to ‘shield the police’ and bolster security resources to enhance coexistence in cities. In an interview with COPE Cataluña’s ‘Converses’ program, the mayor advocated for providing more resources and political backing to police forces, whom she considers pivotal in addressing security issues.
“We must believe in and trust the police. They are the ones who understand security,” Farrés affirmed, insisting that public policies in this area should be guided by the professionals’ expertise. “Just as we wouldn’t let someone who isn’t a doctor operate on us, we cannot formulate security policies without listening to the experts,” she added.
Increased Police Presence and Penalties for Repeat Offenders
In line with this, Farrés announced that the City Council plans to conclude its term with an additional 30 local police officers and called for the anticipated increase in Mossos de Esquadra personnel to also benefit Sabadell.
Regarding security, Farrés expressed satisfaction with the legal reform to stiffen penalties against repeat offenders. This has been a long-standing demand from various metropolitan mayors, including Farrés herself, as well as those of Terrassa and Granollers.
She explained that in Sabadell, this issue is highly localized. “We are talking about 13 to 15 individuals who cause numerous problems because they are constantly in and out of the police station,” she noted.
The mayor also emphasized that the City Council is implementing complementary measures to improve security, such as enhanced public lighting, the installation of surveillance cameras, and civility campaigns aimed at fostering better coexistence in neighborhoods.
“In large cities, zero risk does not exist,” Farrés acknowledged, considering it essential to combine prevention, police presence, and urban planning measures.
Call for Budget Approval to Drive Public Investment
Beyond security, the mayor also appealed to Catalan political forces to facilitate the approval of the Generalitat’s budgets. In her view, public accounts are indispensable for implementing policies and undertaking necessary investments in municipalities.
“The debate about not having a budget cannot stand,” she stated emphatically. For Farrés, political discussion should focus on how investments are allocated, rather than whether a budget should exist.
The mayor warned that governing with budgetary extensions or through credit modifications complicates public management. “It is very difficult to manage a country with lines of credit,” she pointed out.
She recalled that cities like Sabadell have pending projects directly dependent on budget approval. “I have a hospital that needs a budget, that needs a budget now,” she said, referring to necessary investments in the healthcare system.
Dispelling the Link Between Immigration and Crime
During the interview, Farrés also rejected the association between immigration and criminality promoted by some political discourses. “Immigrants commit crimes, and so do people from here,” she asserted. For the mayor, the criterion should be to act against those who commit crimes, regardless of their origin. “The law must be applied against anyone who commits a crime, whether they are from here or from elsewhere,” she concluded.
Source: eldebate.com
