As every year around this time, Punta del Este receives an influx of undesireables who flock here with ill intention. I used to go to the cops on Gorlero or the Rambla and tell them "Lookie there, a thief" only to be told that as long as they weren´t committing a crime and being caught in the act, we could do nothing about it.
Well, it turns out something can indeed be done. Since yesterday there are reports in the press of Judge Adriana Graziuso refloating the old vagrancy laws to request identification from sketchy-looking fellows or from those asking for money or playing fake "car attetndant" on the streets of Punta del Este. Upon confirmation that the individuals in question are not residents and don´t hold a job in the area, law enforcement is authorized to buy them a ticket, literally, back to their place of official domicile.
Further, when noticing that the crooks are on parole and violating the terms of their releases by being away from their stated domicile, the respective judges are informed. Likewise if there are arrest warrants pending.
Just a few days ago I noticed a very scary individual loitering in front of our store. I crossed the street to ask the attendants of the gas station whether they knew him and was told he had shown up that day, pretending to be a car attendant. I was relieved to read in the paper that he had been shipped back to Montevideo. And I am happier still to know that if any other such person bothers me by "aggressive begging" he can be reported to the cops who now have the tools to send him away.
A note on the legal system in Uruguay. Law enforcement is driven by judges, not by district attorneys or prosecutors. A judge receives complaints and initiates prosecutions or investigations at his or her discretion, and therefore sets the tone for enforcement. Maldonado recently lost Judge Alvarez Petraglia, who is focused on white collar crime. But Graziuso´s actions go to the essence of quality of life for everyone living, traveling or working in our area. So kudos to her.
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