The municipality says it is unable to combat unauthorized trading on the streets of Chisinau. The ambulatory traders occupied the areas adjoining the markets and the functionaries admit that the problem is expanding, instead of being solved, IPN reports.
Deputy head of Centru district Petru Budurin said the situation is difficult and worsens every day. Last year, after the police drove the vendors selling near the Central Market away, the area there was free. But now the vendors sell even on the central boulevard. The situation is the most difficult at the market on Tiraspol St and near the Railway Terminal, where hundreds of sellers trade in secondhand goods.
According to Petru Budurin, the vendors also occupied the sidewalks near the market on Docuceav St and the employees of the Trade Division cannot enter the building as the goods are laid right in front of the door.
The head of Ciocana district Galina Bostan said the situation in Ciocana is as serious. There are free places in the markets, but the vendors prefer to sell on the street. Most of them are not producers, but claim they need places in order to sell their products.
The heads of Botanica and Buiucani districts said they have good cooperation relations with the district police officers who help them combat unauthorized trading, even if they do not have to do it, according to their new status. They work with the police based on the previous agreements. Until a solution is found, this is the only possible way of reducing the number of street vendors.
Following the reformation of the Ministry of the Interior, the municipal police cannot fine the street traders. The given powers were transferred to the Consumer Protection Agency. The police can only draw up reports.
