Authorities close shopping in Tapada das Mercês for illegal overnights

Athe authorities closed a commercial center in Tapada das Mercês, Sintra, due to “severe problems” of unhealthy and safe and the discovery of two people to dwell improperly in stores, in degrading conditions, informed today the PSP.

This “interinstitutional operation”, with several authorities, held last Thursday through the Sintra Police Division, emerged following complaints regarding the misuse of shops for housing purposes and the existence of serious hygiene, health and safety problems, the PSP, in a statement.

During the intervention, a 71-year-old man was detected there, who “showed signs of physical fragility, mobility difficulties and several visible wounds,” says the PSP, adding that, in view of his state of health, the emergency means were triggered, having received the first care on site and was subsequently transported to the Amadora/Sintra Hospital, “on suspicion of dehydration and need for medical evaluation”.

The second person identified there to stay overnight in one of the shops was a woman previously signaled by social action services, both being “under conditions manifestly incompatible with the minimum requirements of habitability, hygiene and safety”.

Citizens were signaled for social monitoring, and coordination with the services responsible for assessing their needs and forwarding to appropriate reception responses was planned.

The operation was supported by the Foreigners and Border Control Center of the PSP, the Sintra Municipal Police, the Municipal Civil Protection Services of Sintra, the Municipal and Urban Surveillance Division of the Sintra City Hall, the Social Emergency Division of the municipality, the Volunteer Fire Department of Mem-Martins and the Sintra-Amadora Public Health Unit.

According to PSP, during the operation “a scenario of widespread degradation was identified, with accumulation of debris and various materials, lack of adequate lighting and ventilation, intense odors and indications of favorable conditions for pest proliferation.

Fire risk factors were also identified, associated with the high amount of accumulated materials, including gas pellets from flammable products, as well as difficulties in circulation and access to certain compartments.

The monitoring also made it possible to verify that one of the commercial establishments in operation did not have the necessary licence to carry out the activity.

In view of the seriousness of the conditions observed, the Municipal Civil Protection Services and the Municipal and Urban Surveillance Division considered it necessary to close the space immediately, “measures have been proposed to prevent the continuation of its misuse and to safeguard the safety of persons and goods”.

Following the problems detected, the main entrance and the access to the back of the building were walled, “impeding indiscriminate access and the continuity of the improper use of the stores,” explains PSP.

It was, however, temporarily maintained one of the rear accesses, exclusively to allow the removal of existing goods and belongings within their respective owners and other interested parties, in conjunction with the competent authorities.

Technical reports for the documentation of the conditions identified and for the assessment of existing risks were also envisaged.

“ Given the severity of the conditions identified, it is considered essential to maintain the space closed until the necessary conditions for safety, hygiene and health are met. This preventive measure aims to prevent the repetition of risk situations, to safeguard public health and to prevent any future consequences for the safety and physical integrity of persons and goods,” the police note said.