At Martim Moniz, in Lisbon, merchants are leaving written messages on car windshields to try to deter robbers, in a desperate attempt to protect their establishments and belongings. The situation reflects the increase in crime in the area, where drug trafficking and consumption have become increasingly visible and shameless.
The merchants report that fear has settled in the community, and that many of the robbers are drug users who need money to buy substances. Faced with the inaction of authorities, the merchants decided to take matters into their own hands, using creativity to alert potential thieves.
The messages left on car windshields range from warnings about surveillance cameras, threats that the owners are vigilant, or appeals to the robbers' conscience. This strategy, although innovative, illustrates the fragility of the security felt by the merchants in the area.
The article highlights a deep social problem in the Martim Moniz area, where crime associated with drug trafficking has affected not only residents, but also small merchants who try to survive in an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment.
