Illegal street vending: an ongoing problem requiring greater involvement from all administrations
This weekend, the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Local Police have strengthened their enforcement efforts against illegal street vending, placing special emphasis on preventative measures in the main areas where this activity is concentrated, such as Annex II and Paseo del Faro.
During these operations, a significant amount of merchandise was seized, including chairs, tables, umbrellas, and various packages containing items intended for illegal sale. Much of this material was hastily abandoned by the offenders upon noticing the police presence.
The Councilor for Security and Emergencies, José Carlos Álamo Ojeda, emphasized that "we are not currently talking about a one-off or seasonal phenomenon, as was the case years ago during peak season. Today, its impact is continuous throughout the year, which requires greater efforts and an urgent need for other administrations to become involved in the solution, given that we have an organization with its own logistics."
The City Council emphasizes that illegal street vending creates unfair competition for authorized businesses and poses a risk to people's health, as the products do not meet the required health standards. Furthermore, it emphasizes that this practice has increased considerably in recent years, both in volume and duration.
This weekend's actions are part of a municipal strategy that combines direct intervention with preventive and deterrent measures, with the goal of protecting both public safety and the municipality's legal economic activity.
These interventions are in addition to the numerous operations carried out between 2024 and the beginning of 2025, some of them involving the joint participation of the Immigration Brigade and the Citizen Security Unit of the National Police Force, as well as the Canine Unit of the Local Police. Several of these operations have even resulted in arrests, including two cases for drug trafficking offenses, demonstrating the effectiveness of the coordinated effort and the municipal government's firm determination to eradicate this illegal activity.
