Guardia Civil mobile pilgrim assistance patrols

[Bradypus]

With the reopening of the Route Napoleon recently and increasing pilgrim numbers the Guardia Civil in Navarre have restarted their OMAP patrols - Oficinas Móviles de Atención al Peregrino. They have already helped a number of lost pilgrims to find the official path and diverted them away from dangerous roads. In a news report today it is mentioned that one such pilgrim had been walking barefoot on the wrong road for 2.5km before being met and redirected.

Auxiliado en Viscarret un peregrino que realizaba el Camino de Santiago descalzo

El hombre se había pasado la incorporación al camino de Santiago unos 2,5 kilómetros y fue trasladado por la Guardia Civil al punto correcto para que continuase su marcha

www.diariodenavarra.es

PS: In 2022 it was decided that the dedicated Camino patrols should carry their own sellos. If you do bump into them you could ask for one!

 

[Bradypus]

Another report on the Guardia Civil mobile patrols notes that they are investigating some misleading yellow arrows in the Espinal area which have been misdirecting pilgrims and might account for some people becoming lost in recent days. The false signage has been removed.

Guardia Civil realiza varias atenciones a peregrinos en el Camino de Santiago a su paso por Navarra

PAMPLONA, 10 (EUROPA PRESS) La Guardia Civil de Navarra puso en funcionamiento el pasado día 3 de abril la unidad OMAP -Oficinas Móviles de Atención al Peregrino-, unas patrullas móviles para dar respuesta de forma "más ágil y eficiente" a cualquier necesidad de seguridad o información de los...

www.noticiasde.es

 

[Keith H]

Another report on the Guardia Civil mobile patrols notes that they are investigating some misleading yellow arrows in the Espinal area which have been misdirecting pilgrims and might account for some people becoming lost in recent days. The false signage has been removed.

Guardia Civil realiza varias atenciones a peregrinos en el Camino de Santiago a su paso por Navarra

PAMPLONA, 10 (EUROPA PRESS) La Guardia Civil de Navarra puso en funcionamiento el pasado día 3 de abril la unidad OMAP -Oficinas Móviles de Atención al Peregrino-, unas patrullas móviles para dar respuesta de forma "más ágil y eficiente" a cualquier necesidad de seguridad o información de los...

www.noticiasde.es

Was it an attempt to redirect people to other shops/bars?

 

[Bradypus]

Was it an attempt to redirect people to other shops/bars?

The article doesn't say but it is a possibility. Has happened often enough before.

 

[Keith H]

The article doesn't say but it is a possibility. Has happened often enough before.

That was my thought too

 

[Bradypus]

Apparently the painter of the dodgy yellow arrows has promised not to do it again!

Pinta señales del Camino de Santiago falsas para que se pierdan los peregrinos

En el pueblo de Espinal conocen la identidad del autor de las pintadas

www.elcorreogallego.es

 

[Keith H]

I bet! The Guardia Civil knocking on your door would be a huge disincentive

 

[Bradypus]

Not one of the mobile patrols but another good example of the Guardia Civil actively helping pilgrims - in this case contacting a number of albergues and tracking down an Australian peregrino to return a lost wallet with substantial sums in cash and identity documents.

Guardia Civil entrega a un peregrino australiano una cartera que había extraviado con más de 400 euros y documentación

PAMPLONA, 19 (EUROPA PRESS) La Guardia Civil de Navarra ha entregado a un peregrino australiano, de 70 años, una cartera que había extraviado con identificación personal...

www.lavanguardia.com

 

[Peregrinopaul]

…but another good example of the Guardia Civil actively helping pilgrims…

Wonderful story, @Bradypus.