A total of 220 Municipal Police officers are guarding the center of San José to ward off illegal street vendors, who had grown in number in recent days.
Street vending makes it difficult to walk on most sidewalks of the capital throughout the year, but especially during the Christmas season, when the number of vendors and merchandise increase.
Pedestrians often are forced to walk on the streets.
Many of the products sold are illegal. Data from the Municipality of San José indicate that in the first few days of December Municipal Police have seized some 32,000 pirated CDs and DVDs, 40 grills and 65 kilos of meat that were being sold without the appropriate health permits.
According to municipal officials, in addition to confiscation of merchandise, cases will be brought before the courts to ensure vendors do not return and to guarantee the free passage of pedestrians on the sidewalks of the capital.
