Seccional 10a. Punta del Este

“Did you hear about the guy who tried to pay a cop with whiskey?” I ask, adjusting my microphone. We stand before Seccional 10a. Punta del Este, the police station that has witnessed Punta del Este’s transformation from sleepy village to glamorous resort. Seccional 10a. Punta del Este isn’t just any police station. Its ninety-year history mirrors the town’s own, filled with colorful characters, dramatic incidents, and a touch of the absurd. Established on November 14th, its first summer season was 1921-1922. Its first chief, León C. Burgueño, presided over a small force equipped with more rustic tools than one might expect. They had revolvers, machetes, and… a horse. Imagine a police chase on horseback down Gorlero Avenue! Seccional 10a. Punta del Este’s early days were documented in a 1927 census. They recorded a mere 831 inhabitants, a stark contrast to the bustling crowds of today. The station’s logbooks must be filled with intriguing tales. One anecdote involves a brawl at the legendary Oasis confitería on Gorlero Avenue. A subcomisario, responding to the commotion, encountered a scene of utter chaos. One man, fueled by Johnnie Walker Black Label, was rhythmically applying a bottle to his opponent’s head. When the officer tried to intervene, he was offered a swig and told, “Don’t interfere if you want to leave unharmed.” The story, perhaps embellished over time, captures the spirit of a bygone era in Punta del Este, a time when things were a little wilder, a little less predictable. Seccional 10a. Punta del Este has seen it all. From the petty squabbles of summer visitors to the occasional celebrity arrest, the station has played a silent role in Punta del Este’s dramatic narrative. Its history reminds us that even in paradise, there’s always a story waiting to unfold. So, the next time you stroll down Gorlero Avenue, remember Seccional 10a. Punta del Este and the colorful tapestry of life it has quietly observed.