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Tue, Feb 09 2010
Bulgarian town mayor's tough line on Roma crime
Bulgarian Roma and police
Petar Paunov, the mayor of Kyustendil, has told the Roma minority in the town that there will be a change of policy and zero tolerance for social misbehaviour from now on. He has vowed that the local municipality will employ all resources to "provide" employment for those who want to earn their money fairly, but that there "will be ho hesitation when dealing with crime", Focus news has reported on August 4 2009.
The statement was made during a meeting with disenfranchised Roma from the Iztok borough of Kyustendil who were protesting against recent measures implemented by the municipality to thwart the movement of carts and horses around the town.
Such carts are also seen in various boroughs around Sofia, notably in Krasno Selo, Krasna Polyana, Hipodrоuma, Lagera and Buxton, where Roma are being accused almost daily by the local population of taking copper cables, stealing the lids from street drains which, in turn, can cause serious traffic accidents, and, in some cases, stealing the rubbish bins themselves or anything and everything that is made of metal.
The explanation put forward by the municipality was that "the measure aims to uphold safety and protect the property of the Kyustendil Municipality", a statement by the town hall was quoted as saying.
"You cant keep on stealing from all over the place, devastating arable plots of land, destroying the harvest and disturbing the populace," Paunov said. "I am here to let you know that I will support every single one of you who opts for decent and honest employment, but I will not tolerate criminal behaviour anymore," he said.
The statement was made during a meeting with disenfranchised Roma from the Iztok borough of Kyustendil who were protesting against recent measures implemented by the municipality to thwart the movement of carts and horses around the town.
Such carts are also seen in various boroughs around Sofia, notably in Krasno Selo, Krasna Polyana, Hipodrоuma, Lagera and Buxton, where Roma are being accused almost daily by the local population of taking copper cables, stealing the lids from street drains which, in turn, can cause serious traffic accidents, and, in some cases, stealing the rubbish bins themselves or anything and everything that is made of metal.
The explanation put forward by the municipality was that "the measure aims to uphold safety and protect the property of the Kyustendil Municipality", a statement by the town hall was quoted as saying.
"You cant keep on stealing from all over the place, devastating arable plots of land, destroying the harvest and disturbing the populace," Paunov said. "I am here to let you know that I will support every single one of you who opts for decent and honest employment, but I will not tolerate criminal behaviour anymore," he said.
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Phillipopolis ?!?! its called Plovdiv.
Go to Thessaloniki and tell a Greek he lives in Solun and you get shot.
cheers
Thank you, Jordan.
And lets hope indeed that the Kustendil example spreads and helps
Phillipopolis - your glorious home town!
I wonder how many city Mayors read and cogitate about all this?...
To the Old Lady comment. Well said lady. All my hopes not only for Kustendil, but for Plovdiv as well. The city I call my hometown.
Cheers
Well, let me first of all suggest that Dianne Hatton's attitude is slightly unacceptable. "Typically Bulgar?" Lady, you are typically arrogant. It is the approach which pretends that imposing "Roma" instead of "Gypsy" will change the substance of things.
In the presence of industry and regular employment, gypsies worked like any other "Bulgar" in years past. I gypsy woman was my nanny and she was the sweetest, cleanest care taker I still remember fondly -- her name was Raime. Five foot tall, 3 foot long braid in the back. Do not paint all gypsies/Romas with the same brush, even today. The idiotic aspects of the last 20 years "prehod" have taken a toll on everyone.
It is my hope that with the economy developing again, and employment becoming gradually available, things may improve. It will take time.
Meanwhile, I congratulate the Mayor of Kustendil for having the courage to try something different. I dearly hope his approach bears fruit. Then they can try in Sliven, Pazardjik, and even Sofia.
BTW I just came back from India.
"Dude" Matt - it was like an unreal trip to the worse Roma neighborhood in Bulgaria! The whole place is one!
One has to see it, to understand the connection!
Jay,
they are not confused, as much as they listen to native politician there who are bend on cashing in on their anti-EU sentiment in first place.
Mat,
the Roma are in their native land and yes they are Bulgarians, just like Obama is American,, but ancestors do come from India.
Linguistically, culturally, in every possible way, they've preserved their identity.
That may speak badly of our own record on assimilation, but that was what I am not sure about, because we are not the only ones in the EU with Roma assimilation problems.
In fact I think in many ways we've done a better job in assimilating into them, than the other way around.
Why do you think we shake our heads sideways for a "yes"?
The whole India does that, and the Roma are the only possible connection we may have with the Subcontinent.
Dianne, "So, corruption is rife, mafia style terrorisn plagues Bulgaria, murders, prostitution, drug trafficking, sex slaves etc etc etc. And we target the Roma's.....easy target"
I don't ever see much of that when I am in Bulgaria but I do see too many Roma's stealing and not working. Typically confused Anglo Saxon.
So, corruption is rife, mafia style terrorisn plagues Bulgaria, murders, prostitution, drug trafficking, sex slaves etc etc etc. And we target the Roma's.....easy target.....Typically Bulgar.
Dude, this is their native land. They are Bulgarians, not Indians. And given that they have 12 kids to every 2 of your 'white' kids, you better get used to the idea - in a generation or two they will be ruling here....
These roma are the scum of humanity they have been forced out of Ireland for the same reasons.They will be offered work for pay but i bet they will not do it they would rather beg and steal but at least this mayor seems to be giving them a choice i hope it works.
"You cant keep on stealing from all over the place, devastating arable plots of land, destroying the harvest and disturbing the populace," Paunov said. "I am here to let you know that I will support every single one of you who opts for decent and honest employment, but I will not tolerate criminal behaviour anymore,"
Sounds like a good man!
What is it about them? Surely we haven't been very smart in incorporating them in the past, but I always wonder if it's even possible.
They live just like people in India. There's little difference and it's actually discouraging to see people who've been out of their native land for 1000 years, not changing in the least.
India feels like a giant Roma neighborhood...