“How long will we witness the double standards, gentlemen of the government and directors of the police in Plovdiv?”, this question was asked by a reader of TrafficNews, who alerted us to two examples that show how the law enforcement agencies in Plovdiv fail to sanction violators, especially those with luxury cars.
The Plovdiv resident witnessed how, within two days, teams of "Parking and Repatriation" and the Municipal Police selectively fine violators upon signal. The cars that are not sanctioned are the more expensive ones. The first case is in front of the restaurant "Mykonos" on "Vladivostok" Str. since Saturday, and the other next to the two restaurants on Blvd. “Peshtersko Shosse” to PGEE.
The teams in question arrived on the scene, not fining a “Maybach” limousine, a “Mercedes” jeep, as well as an electric “Rolls Royce”. The other cars, which were much cheaper, did not escape the fine or repatriation. These are just two of the cases identified by the man who witnessed them, and apparently this is a widespread practice throughout the city.
“The anarchy with parked cars on streets, boulevards, sidewalks is becoming greater in our beloved city. Every day, before my eyes, all kinds of cars are brazenly stopped in all kinds of places. The feeling of impunity is clearly spreading throughout the city, especially among owners of expensive cars.
What would you say if they are expensive cars? Aren't there any violators with more modest cars?
There are all kinds of violators, of course. But in just two days I witnessed brutal disregard for traffic rules, and the authorities who are supposed to impose penalties and "re-educate" drivers passed them by indifferently.
First incident, on Saturday, on "Vladivostok" street, in front of a famous restaurant, two rather expensive cars stopped on the road right under the sign prohibiting parking. One of the cars was a "Maybach" limousine of a famous Plovdiv businessman, the second had security guards inside.
After a signal to "Parking and Repatriation" the police and municipal police arrived on the scene - they let the two expensive cars through without any sanction. Behind them are several more cars stopped - one is lifted, the cheaper one of course, and next to them a black jeep "Mercedes" is again missed. Why there is no fine for it, even after the spider has lifted one of the cars - no one can say.
Second incident, Sunday - Blvd. "Peshtersko Shose" - in front of another famous restaurant there is a luxury electric "Rolls Royce" with the number EA000007, next to it several other cars with violations. Again a signal from "Parking and Repair" - the spider goes and lifts one car, the municipal police fine the second, and the third - of course the "Rolls Royce" remains without any consequences and sanctions.
So in less than 24 hours they convinced me that if you have an expensive car - the rules do not apply to you. You park everywhere in violation, and the OP “Parking and Repatriation” and the Municipal Police will not catch you. Are the owners of these cars paying someone, are they instilling fear in the rank and file police officers, or is there a “secret agreement” between the mayor and the police chief not to issue fines? Or maybe all three?
How long will we witness the double standards, gentlemen of government and directors of the police in Plovdiv?”, writes our reader.
A TrafficNews reporter contacted the director of the OP “Parking and Repatriation” Ivan Ganchev. He confirmed the problem described by our reader and stated that he was personally familiar with both cases.
„I responded to both signals on the spot. When the teams started to repatriate the cars, I spoke with the municipal police officers and asked them why they were not sanctioning the other cars. I did not receive an answer. I want to emphasize that which car should be repatriated or sanctioned is decided by the employees of the „Municipal Police” sector, and not those of „Parking and Repatriation”. I personally called the director of the police, Senior Commissioner Georgi Mashonov, to hand over the cases to him. However, no response was received from the officers of the unit. For these two cases, as well as for many others, I have submitted a report to the mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, his deputy for transport Erol Sadakov, the director of the police, as well as the municipal councilors. It is normal for society to be dissatisfied with these double standards that are being demonstrated. There is a big problem with parking in the Central City area and many violators. This also damages the municipal budget, and our salaries come from it,” said Ivan Ganchev.
The “Municipal Police” sector is under double subordination - to the mayor of Plovdiv Municipality and the director of the Plovdiv Police Department. However, its maintenance is entirely from the municipal budget. The police officers in this sector have all the same powers as the rest of the uniformed officers. However, it is obvious that instead of double subordination, they get double disobedience.
The resignation of the director of the “Municipal Police” Todor Boyukliyski has already been requested several times from the rostrum of the Plovdiv Municipal Council, including at the last session. The reason is the understated work of the unit and the inefficiency in fulfilling their duties.