Establishments in the capital of Slovakia will switch from night operation mode to strict time limits if the city zastupiteľstvo (city council) approves the new project. The city leadership took this radical step due to rising crime and the dangerous situation around such points.
According to the draft of the generally binding ordinance, which will be presented at the next meeting on Thursday, the activity of záložne (pawnshops) will be zakázaná (forbidden) daily from 16:00 to 10:00 the next day. This effectively means that such points will be able to operate only during the daytime, and in the evenings and at night they will be forced to close.
Why the city authorities took this step
The situation near many pawn and exchange points has become a serious problem for local residents and the police. The problem is especially acute near large shopping centers, where there is a spike in thefts.
According to bratislavský magistrát (Bratislava city magistrate), only during the past year the number of interventions and checks by mestská polícia v Bratislave (Bratislava city police) increased fourfold. Despite additional investments in street lighting, enhanced patrols, and other preventive measures, the existing tools proved insufficient.
The city council emphasizes that such points often operate without clear nationwide rules. Since appeals to the state for comprehensive regulation have so far yielded no results, the capital decided to act independently through local normative acts.
Fines and timing of the new rules implementation
According to the mayor's office, limiting operating hours will help break the chain of stolen goods sales and reduce the availability of quick money for buying drugs.
- Subjects of restriction: The rules will apply to all legal entities and physical persons-entrepreneurs (OSVČ) who have the corresponding activity profile in the registers.
- Responsibility: Financial sanctions are provided for non-compliance with the established schedule. According to the law on the capital, violators face fines up to 6,638 euros.
- Start of the initiative: If the document is approved by deputies at the meeting on September 17, the new rules will come into force on November 1.
