Badalona’s newly appointed police chief has unveiled an ambitious technology-driven strategy to enhance public safety, centred on the deployment of Artificial Intelligence and a network of approximately 600 new surveillance cameras across the city.

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Óscar Parada, a veteran of the force since 2006, took command of the Guardia Urbana of Badalona on March 10. His appointment is notable as he fills a unique position, replacing the last municipal police superintendent in all of Catalonia. In an interview with El Periódico, Parada outlined a vision that places technology at the forefront of modernising policing in Barcelona’s northern neighbour.

AI-Driven Policing and a ‘Pioneering’ Camera Network

Parada’s first major initiative will be a pilot programme to integrate AI into daily police work. “We are going to start a pilot test to apply Artificial Intelligence to security,” he explained. “The idea is to convert crime data into heat maps with the city’s ‘hot spots’ to develop targeted patrolling in specific areas.”

This data-led approach will also include a significant investment in physical infrastructure. Parada describes the planned installation of around 600 new video surveillance cameras as a “pioneering project in Catalonia.” This system will go beyond simple recording, incorporating advanced data, image, and forensic analysis capabilities.

“In other towns, the drop in crime has been substantial in the first few years. I am convinced it will be the same here,” Parada stated, expressing confidence that the technological upgrade will have a direct impact on crime rates. While Badalona focuses on technological expansion, the Guardia Urbana in neighbouring Barcelona has been facing a deepening staffing crisis.

Bridging the Gap Between Data and Public Perception

Despite his focus on technology, the new chief also stressed the importance of community policing, or proximidad. While he acknowledges the force already works closely with the community, he wants to extend its reach. “We want to direct more focus towards groups that we don’t quite reach,” he said, identifying sports clubs as key community hubs that can provide “real, up-to-the-minute information.”

Parada maintains that Badalona is fundamentally a safe city, arguing that recent crime spikes are cyclical and influenced by its proximity to Barcelona and high internal mobility. However, his ultimate goal is to align official statistics with public feeling. “It is basic that the public’s perception is in line with the data,” he affirmed. “My hope is not only for the data to be good but for the sense of security to improve substantially.”

This focus on perception is critical in a metropolitan area where residents of nearby Santa Coloma de Gramenet often report feeling safer, a comparison Parada dismisses by noting the two cities are vastly different.

The new chief also addressed several sensitive local issues. He praised the city council’s specialised anti-squatting department for helping police identify vulnerable properties, claiming that concerted efforts are leading to a substantial decrease in successful occupations, with most now remaining mere attempts. The topic of squatting remains contentious across Catalonia, highlighted recently when the Mossos’ chief sparked an outcry over remarks on the issue.

Parada’s own appointment followed a turbulent selection process where five other hopefuls challenged the procedure before ultimately withdrawing. He addressed the controversy with composure, stating, “I have a very clear conscience… The entire process was conducted externally, separate from the Guardia Urbana.”

Looking ahead, he aims to foster unity within the 245-strong force, which has a history of union disputes. “The main idea is to work in the same direction and for the benefit of the city,” he remarked, adding a firm warning on internal discipline. “We will be forceful with anyone who does not comply with the law. We are here to enforce it, but we must be the first to obey it.”

With a long-term project in mind, Parada sees technology as the essential tool to not only reduce crime but, crucially, to make Badalona’s citizens feel safer in their own neighbourhoods.