At
the end of last year, as I walked along the paseo, negotiating my way through
pedestrians, pets and kids playfully skipping, I couldn’t help but wonder - who
were these dark men overseeing the many blankets with all sorts of counterfeit handbags,
trainers and brightly coloured cloth displayed for enticing passers-by to stop
and purchase their tax-free products. More questions came to mind as I gazed on the scene - how did they get to Sitges? Where do they live? Wouldn't they rather be at home in their own countries? And how can they survive constantly on the run from the law?...
The
Manteros. Men, usually of West
African descent who take part in this illegal trade normally due to lack of
opportunity, and alternative occupation, trying to make a living—not stealing.
The
streets of our town have been the target of organized crime groups responsible
for these illegal street vendors. Shopkeepers have complained to the Ayuntamiento due
to the fact that they negatively impact their sales (not unlike the impact to designers around the world); and not to mention the residents who weigh in on the less than positive image it presents of our municipality.
Shutting down the puppet masters of
the operation is the real issue. And last July, a plan of action was launched, a joint crackdown by
the Local Police and Mossos d'Esquadra, which brought about several arrests and
a seizure of a considerable amount of the illegally sold counterfeit material.
Unfortunately,
illegal street vendors are a problem which exists in many countries throughout
the world and requires complex and global solutions. Yes, illegal street
vendors are a problem, but I can't help thinking they are also people. It is one of the last images left at the front of my mind of 2016.
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