Among other things the ordinance forbids offering soliciting, negotiation or accepting sexual services — paid or not — in any public setting, including private premises meant for public use.

Engaging in such conduct within 200 meters from a school would be considered an aggravating condition.

Violators can expect fines ranging from 401 to 1800 Euros.

Having been accepted by the city council, the proposed law now enters a period of time during which the public can provide feedback. If there major hurdles are encountered the law could go into effect as early as this July.

Situated about a hundred kilometers south of the French border, and about the same distance from Barcelona, Tossa de Mar is home to 6,000 citizens. During the summer months the popular resort sees an influx of thousands of tourists.

Reactions

Thus far reactions to the ordinance reportedly range from support by local fishermen who are not amused by what they see taking place at the beach, to chagrin from locals who believe the police should focus its energy and manpower on more important issues.

City councilman Juan Antoni Hervías says the city does not want it to be a “repressive ordinance.” Rather, the law is meant to assure that everyone maintains the right to use and enjoy the public space under optimal conditions for coexistence.

Tossa de Mar’s council recognizes that it will be difficult to implement this aspect of the proposed ordinance. Still, it wanted to provide its municipal police with a tool that allows it to act against what many consider to be a public nuisance.

The ordinance also prohibits begging in the streets, prostitution, overly noisy bachelor parties, and the use of alcohol or drugs in public.

Tossa de Mar

Tossa de Mar is a popular seaside holiday resort at the Costa Brava, in Catalonia.

The town is about 17 kilometers north of Blanes, and about 11 kilometers north of Llorett de Mar. Many tourists from both towns make day trips to Tossa — usually by ferry boat.

Tossa’s main beach, with a 360 meters long and 60 meters wide, is overlooked by a beautiful medieval castle.

The work is necessary to repair extensive storm damage to beaches and beachfront roads in Tossa de Mar, San Feliu de Guixols, Platja d’Aro, Sant Antoni de Calonge, Cadaqués, Port de la Selva, L’Escala and Blanes.

The extraordinarily destructive storm, on boxing day last December, damaged promenades and walkways, as well as the harbor of Blanes — where several fishing ships and tourist ferries also were destroyed.

In the town of Blanes, the current status of the Paseo Marítimo S’Abanell — the promenade along the beach of S’Abanell — poses a significant danger to the safety of pedestrians and users of the beach, as well as some buildings near the promenade, whose foundation could be affected in case of new storms.

A 500-meter long area that is most effected will be strengthened with rockfill, and additional sand will be deposited on the beach.

The Cabinet also earmarked €1 million for repair work in the coastal areas of El Vendrell and Alcanar in the province of Tarragona.