The Formentera Department of Interior reports that since the state of alarm was invoked, local law enforcement have written 75 citations to islanders who failed to comply with confinement orders, namely, by leaving home for activities not allowed under the emergency decree.

Formentera Local Police now have a drone that supports the force’s surveillance operations, helping to detect residents in breach of orders. The device affords a much wider visual scope than is usually possible in many parts of the island, where ground patrols can be complicated.

In randomly selected areas of the island, the aircraft supports the police department’s normal surveillance operations by performing aerial sweeps of randomly selected areas of the island—flights that will continue as long as the state of alarm remains in force. A citation cannot be issued based on drone-captured images alone, rather, the location of possible offenders must first be determined and agents can issue a ticket once on the scene.

Drone operations, just one part of the island police force’s battery of control measures in towns and on local roads, are meant to dissuade Formentera residents from violating the rules. Formentera Local Police remind islanders that, if non-essential employees have been called back to work, other islanders mustn’t let their guard down. Shelter in place orders remain in effect and travel and social contact must still be avoided as much as possible to keep coronavirus at bay.

17 April 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Department of Interior reports that the non-profit group Bomberos sin Fronteras (Firefighters without Borders) teamed up with the Formentera fire department to deliver five protective screens to the local hospital for use by staff. The screens were made by Bomberos sin Fronteras.

An association that funds and supports development, Bomberos sin Fronteras is made up of career firefighters and volunteer fire and rescue first responders.

Pictured: a firefighter from the local brigade and Ilana Martinez, assistant director of management at the Formentera Hospital.

9 April 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Consell de Formentera reports that over the course of Holy Week holiday, which starts tomorrow, local police and Civil Guard agents will increase patrols to ensure Formentera residents are still complying with confinement rules. Additional officers will be on hand overseeing controls and Formentera Local Police will continue using drone surveillance for extra support.

In the words of Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer, “I know we’ve all been holed up at home for a long time now, but we’re appealing to residents’ characteristic sense of personal responsibility to make sure they’re doing everything possible to avoid social contact and, in doing so, the spread of Covid-19 on the island”.

8 April 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

Starting today, Formentera Local Police will rely on a drone to help enforce rules of confinement. Supplementing patrols already being carried out by law enforcement, the aircraft will be used to ensure islanders follow orders and stay in their homes, save for outings for activities specifically permitted under the state of alarm.

“Flights will focus on wide open spaces where ground surveillance is poses particular problems”, said interior conseller Josep Marí, “and if someone is found breaking the rules, officers will proceed to the scene to issue a ticket.”

It is hoped that the measure, which is the latest among a battery of controls already being deployed on island highways and roads, will deter islanders from disobeying confinement guidelines. The drone has a runtime of two hours and a camera with zoom capability. Random drone flights will continue until the state of alarm is lifted.

3 April 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera