Wrecked front gardens, urine in letter boxes, garages blocked and loud music throughout the night are just morsels of the foul mess Paceville residents encounter on a regular basis.
We keep being told that if we don’t like it, move out
“We try to rest during the day because at night we’re kept awake with people shouting and uttering obscenities, vomiting or fighting,” one resident said.
“Our letterboxes and front gardens have become latrines. If you speak up, they either pay you back or threaten you. There’s a beach referred to as the ******** beach because of what takes place. We find drugs and condoms...” another complained.
Residents’ helplessness in trying to change their state of affairs emerged from a 27-page public consultation document released by Parliament’s social affairs committee on Wednesday.
Leafing through residents’ comments, the report encapsulates the frustrating situations of lawlessness they endure and the threats they face whenever they dare speak out.
Before it became an entertainment centre, Paceville was often described as “the cemetery of the living” but this quickly changed when nightclubs, bars, hotels and restaurants started sprouting in between private residences.
A common objection is the smell of food and burnt oil wafting through their apartments from restaurants below, forcing them to keep their windows closed in the stifling summer heat.
Attempting to find parking was also close to impossible and an elderly couple lamented they had to pay €500 a year to park at The Hilton, while another said they had to take a taxi to go to a wedding because a car was parked outside their garage.
“We keep being told that if we don’t like it, move out. But I’ve been living here for 50 years and I’m not moving. Everyone is ignoring us,” she said.
The report is hoping to address some of these concerns while attempting to balance out the commercial interests of hotels, English language schools, nightclubs and family entertainment areas.
The committee listened to all the stakeholders from the local council to young people, the police, parents, the Malta Tourism Authority, organisations representing hotels, restaurants and shops to glean a picture of the situation.
The document is the result of one father’s decision to speak out against the “law of the jungle” in Paceville after his son was attacked by six thugs when he tried to defend a woman who had her handbag stolen.
Anthony Farrugia had told The Sunday Times last July that he was setting up a pressure group – GASP (Group for A Safer Paceville), following a series of incidents and skirmishes in the area.
Committee chairman Edwin Vassallo said although it would be naive to believe this document will solve all the problems, it was a realistic step in addressing the “queue of needs” in Paceville.
One of the proposals, which Mr Vassallo felt went a long way to instilling control was the concept of a town centre management, which would bring together all stakeholders to run and maintain Paceville on a day to day basis.
Increased police presence, more CCTV cameras in the street, the installation of a decibel metre to monitor noise, and a stand-by ambulance were among the proposals.
The consultation process will remain open until March 2.