Up to now this year, the Santa Cruz City Council has suggested penalties for traders in the municipal market for committing administrative offences. It is noteworthy that on a single Sunday, namely last October 13, a total of 22 fines were issued against vendors for operating without a license. This information comes from a report provided by the acting commissioner of the Local Police, Juan Francisco Márquez, who highlighted the “significant number of cases identified, in addition to not accounting for those individuals who attempted to occupy a space without the necessary authorisation.”
Moreover, the police documentation indicates additional issues that arose during the market’s operation, such as “frequent violations by certain sellers of the established timetable, necessitating warnings (and in some instances reports) from the enforcement officers present.” These violations included unauthorised access to the premises, both at the start and conclusion of the event, thereby jeopardising the safety of pedestrians.
Furthermore, within the realm of criminal activity, it is noted that “action is being taken concerning the sale of suspected counterfeit goods, with interventions having occurred several times with certain sellers, leading to the confiscation of these items.”
In this regard, the local Police reports that “a minimal fraction of the Rastro’s stalls fully adhere to the regulations” and advocates for the market’s relocation. As such, due to the self-protection plan in its current position, the volume of roads affected by the market activities necessitates a specific and ongoing traffic management strategy, which includes vehicle diversions and oversight of the extensive area covered, making it “extremely challenging to manage all accesses within.”
Additionally, it is noted that there are numerous requirements imposed by inspectors and members of the security plan on vendors concerning stall placements, which hinder escape routes, alongside failures to comply with assigned dimensions, lack of displayed licenses, use of unauthorised loudspeakers, neglect in waste collection, and unapproved tents and structures.
