- The Torrevieja City Council launches a new specialized school Patrol for the upcoming academic year.
- The unit will focus on preventing absenteeism, ensuring student safety, and supporting families at risk.
- Two patrol teams with trained “agent tutors” will monitor school entrances, exits, and surroundings.
- Collaboration includes local education teams, social services, and youth protection organizations.
- Torrevieja showcases one of Spain’s lowest early school dropout rates, under 3%.
Torrevieja Introduces Specialized School Patrol to Combat Absenteeism and Enhance Student Safety
Starting this monday, the City Council of Torrevieja takes a important step forward in protecting it’s student population by launching the new Patrulla Escolar (School Patrol). this initiative, spearheaded by the local Education and police Departments, aims to provide a more focused and professionalized approach to student welfare, prevention of school absenteeism, and overall safety in and around educational centers.
Why a School Patrol?
While the Local Police have traditionally overseen security in schools, the recent increase in police personnel has made it possible to create a dedicated unit.This patrol will specialize in:
- Monitoring recurrent absenteeism among students.
- Controlling and securing access to school premises.
- Preventing and detecting bullying, abuse, and juvenile violence.
- Supporting vulnerable families facing addiction, cyberbullying, or social issues.
Meet the Team Behind the Patrol
Inspector Tomás Quesada will lead this new unit, consisting of two patrol teams.Each team has two officers trained as “agent tutors,” a certification provided by the Generalitat Valenciana. These professionals will not onyl enforce rules but also act as trusted contacts for students, parents, and school staff.
How the School Patrol Works
| Function | description |
|---|---|
| Absenteeism Control | Tracking and intervening in cases of chronic absenteeism to encourage regular attendance |
| Access Control | Ensuring that unauthorized individuals do not enter school premises |
| Prevention & Awareness | Organizing workshops on youth violence, responsible social media use, and cyberbullying |
| Family Support | Providing guidance to families dealing with bullying, addiction, or social vulnerabilities |
| Community Collaboration | Working alongside Social Services, Health Department, and Juvenile Prosecutors |
Strong Local Support for Education and Safety
ricardo Recuero, Torrevieja’s Education Councilor, describes the patrol as a ”major qualitative leap” in focusing care around children and schools. He highlights that each school and institute in the city will receive a customized plan, tailoring the patrol’s presence and tasks to their specific needs.
Federico Alarcón,Councilor for Police and Security,emphasizes that this initiative not only strengthens police presence but also builds trust and preventive educational work between police officers,young people,families,and schools.
Extraordinary Results and Future Outlook
Torrevieja’s educational environment reflects the success of such initiatives: the city boasts an early school dropout rate below 3%, far below the national Spanish average of 13% and the Valencian Community’s 12.88%.
“This shows the effectiveness of the joint work being done and encourages us to continue reinforcing initiatives like the School Patrol to eradicate absenteeism permanently,” concluded Councilor Recuero.
Key Benefits of the New Patrulla Escolar
- Improved student safety and security during school hours.
- Early detection and intervention in bullying and social problems.
- Better communication and cooperation between police, schools, families, and social services.
- Reduction in absenteeism contributing to better academic outcomes.
- Positive role models for youth through trained agent tutors.
For families, educators, and residents of Torrevieja, the new School Patrol represents a comprehensive, community-focused solution to protect youth and nurture a safer, healthier school atmosphere that benefits everyone involved.
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