With the arrival of the end-of-year festivities, various communities in Chile have begun to implement stricter measures to combat the street trade, an activity that usually intensifies during this season. In this context, the commune of Providencia, in the Metropolitan Region, has announced its Safe Christmas Plan, a set of actions aimed at regulating street sales and reinforcing security on the streets.
What does the Safe Christmas Plan include?
The mayor of Providencia, Evelyn Matthei, presented this initiative with the aim of reducing illegal trade, which not only affects the formal economy, but also generates security and public order problems. Among the main actions of the plan, the reinforcement of inspection teams that will patrol the streets to identify, fine and seize products sold by unauthorized merchants.
The plan also puts a focus on consumers, noting that those who buy products from street vendors will be held equally responsible. To discourage this practice, they have established fines significant economic costs for those who participate in this type of transaction.
What is the fine for buying from street vendors?
As reported by Mayor Matthei, people who are caught shopping at the cstreet trade They could face a fine of up to 5 UTM, which is equivalent to $333,140 CLP according to the value of the Monthly Tax Unit (UTM) of November 2024. This sanction aims to raise awareness about the negative impact that this practice has on formal commerce and in the safety of communities.
Why are buyers also fined?
The measure seeks to address the problem from a comprehensive perspective. As Matthei explained, “those who buy are just as guilty as those who are selling,” since the demand in the informal trade fuels its growth. In this way, the commune seeks to stop both the supply and demand of illegal products, encouraging consumers to make their purchases in established stores.
