Jenny Ponticiello, president of the Costa Azul Owners and Residents Association, denounced the growing number of street vendors in the area, which is causing discontent among business owners and residents. She called on the government to regulate and organize street vending, ensuring vendors pay taxes and comply with the law.
In an interview with El Sol de Acapulco, she explained that established businesses consider it unfair that they pay taxes, obtain expensive permits, and provide jobs with legal benefits, while street vendors do not meet the same tax and administrative obligations, resulting in unfair competition.
Ponticiello recalled that residents have been fighting for five years to remove street vendors from Costa Azul. She explained that the municipal government promised in a meeting with residents to remove the vendors from the streets, but this commitment has not been fulfilled; on the contrary, she asserted that the problem has worsened.
She denounced the fact that, although Public Works personnel have issued warnings to street vendors, they return within days and continue setting up shop on the same streets, without any firm action from the authorities to enforce the regulations.
The neighborhood leader emphasized that, according to data from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Costa Azul contributes more than 300 million pesos annually in taxes generated by businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and bars, resources that go to the municipal coffers. However, she said, this significant contribution is not reflected in order, security, or effective land-use regulation.
Ponticiello pointed out that residents recognize everyone’s right to earn an honest living, but insisted that the government must organize and regulate street vending, require vendors to pay taxes, and guarantee compliance with the law.
Finally, he reiterated that they have requested the mayor to stop issuing permits for bars and auto repair shops in the subdivision, because the noise and nighttime activities prevent families from sleeping and living peacefully in Costa Azul.
Source: oem
