Seville Police Stop Escorting Cleaners in Tres Mil Viviendas

Seville Local Police Withdraw from Tres Mil Viviendas

What happens when the police force responsible for protecting sanitation workers cannot do so? In Seville’s Polígono Sur, the answer is that trash remains on the streets. The Local Police have requested their command suspend acompañante protocols for municipal services—Lipasam, Tussam, lighting—trinc three shootings within 72 hours. According to unions, officers lack the means to confront high-caliber weapons. "We can't fight an AK-47 with a small pistol," summarizes CSIF delegate Santiago Raposo.

The Sppme union traces the origin of this weaponry to the war in Ukraine. Since the conflict began, they argue, acquiring automatic rifles on the black market has become easier. This escalation led Jupol, the National Police union, to demand specialized arms and armored vehicles from the Ministry of Interior. Meanwhile, public services in the neighborhood remain suspended.

Three Shootings in 72 Hours and a Battle Over Marijuana Cultivation

The feud between drug clans in Tres Mil Viviendas has already seen three shooting incidents since Saturday. The first involved a burst from a high-caliber weapon; new shots arrived Sunday morning; a third exchange occurred Monday afternoon. Reports indicate the dispute centers on control over marijuana cultivation and sales. Until key figures are arrested, only National Police agents will operate in the area.

The Local Police decision is not arbitrary. The Sppme has requested the immediate modification of entry and acompañante protocols for other municipal services in the affected zone. In practice: Lipasam, Tussam, or lighting workers will have no police acompañante during these days of heightened tension. Seville’s public cleaning company, Lipasam, is hit hardest: without accompaniment, it cannot enter.

Why Can’t the Local Police Operate in Tres Mil Viviendas?

Because they lack the equipment and training for a war-like scenario. CSIF union delegate stated bluntly: "we cannot fight an AK-47 with a small pistol." The "sophistication" of clan weaponry—as described by the Polígono Sur commissioner, Jaime Bretón—has turned the area into a powder keg. The Local Police are unprepared to combat crimes involving high-caliber firearms, and their agents cannot guarantee their own safety or that of other municipal employees.

Some argue the solution lies in the National Police taking command. They have intervention units and armored vehicles, such as the tankette deployed in other operations. Proponents say the Local Police have different functions. The problem is that while authorities decide who enters, residents live with accumulated garbage and gunfire.

The Black Market Arms Trade After the War in Ukraine

The link between the Ukrainian conflict and Sevillian shootings is not far-fetched. Luis Val, president of Sppme in Seville, explains: "Since then, it has been easier to acquire these types of weapons." The supply of military-grade arms on the black market has grown, and clans have exploited this to equip themselves with automatic rifles. It is not exclusive to Seville: a similar situation has been detected in Huelva.

The militarized escalation prompted Jupol to request "specialized armament and armored vehicles" from the Ministry of Interior after Monday’s shooting. This request implies acknowledging that even the National Police does not rule out losing control of the situation. Meanwhile, the Polígono Sur commissioner speaks of weapon "sophistication," a euphemism hiding an uncomfortable reality.

Public Services Left Without Acompañante

Lipasam is not the only affected entity. Tussam, urban transport, and public lighting workers also rely on police accompaniment to enter the zone. Without it, their staff cannot perform their duties. The Local Police decision leaves these services in limbo, depriving residents of waste collection, buses, and maintenance.

Sppme was clear: "we will not allow the Local Police to be easy targets for these incivil." This phrase sums up the standoff between unions and administrations. A problem affecting multiple bodies, they admit. No one wants to bear the political cost of sending agents into a zone where automatic rifles are fired.

A Neighborhood Off the Map for Years

This situation is not new. Some recall that entering Tres Mil Viviendas was difficult years ago. Houses have burned down, forcing firefighters to retreat under acompañante. Buildings suffer theft of common elements—elevators, cables, motors—and courtyards have become containers. Children grow up seeing police avoid their neighborhood, while some residents, unable to afford elsewhere, act as buffers between the chaos and the rest of the city.

Sidewalks look post-apocalyptic. Suddenly you encounter a wedding, a bonfire, or a group causing trouble. This is daily life in a district where law is applied partially. The lingering question is whether this time the situation will be resolved with more resources or another patch. For now, garbage piles up and gunshots continue. Ironically, in a country proud of its welfare state, there are zones where even trash isn’t collected.