Headline: Buenos Aires Tightens Security and Alcohol Checks This Holiday Season
In anticipation of Christmas Eve and the upcoming Wednesday holiday, the City of Buenos Aires has decided to bolster its security measures, rolling out enhanced prevention operations and increased alcohol testing on its 15 communes from 5 PM Tuesday onwards. Both police and firefighters will maintain active 24-hour patrols, while emergency services such as 911, Civil Defense, Auxiliary Guard, and Ligne 103 will also be fully operational. Additionally, the Emergency Medical Services (SAME) will expand its staff at its Central Operations room (107) and Telemedicine services.
Jorge Macri, the Chief of Government of Buenos Aires, praised these efforts: “While most of us gather with loved ones, our police, firefighters, and control agents stand guard to keep us safe and assist us when needed. Their daily work is especially evident during holidays.”
The primary goal of these reinforced operations is to increase visibility across various parks and squares, thereby curbing potential crimes and offenses. This will be achieved by beefing up police presence, joined by Prevention Agents, Traffic Agents, and City Firefighters. Moreover, conventional alcohol control checks will be strengthened with 15 strategic control points set up across the city.
Notably, alcohol-linked road fatalities account for 21% of all such incidents in Buenos Aires. Thus, intensifying alcohol testing forms a pivotal part of the safety strategy. Furthermore, the Agencia Gubernamental de Control (AGC) and Public Space Monitoring staff will verify that no alcohol sales occur near these locations or within the parks themselves. All efforts will be supported by the city’s Central Monitoring Center.
In Buenos Aires, the permissible blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are 0.5 gr/l for private vehicle drivers, 0.2 gr/l for motorcyclists, and 0 gr/l for novice and professional driving license holders. First-time offenders are automatically suspended for at least two months, with additional penalties based on the BAC level recorded.
