In order to prevent unscrupulous citizens from burning piles of tires for the sake of modest profits from selling wire, inspection supervision has recently been increased near the Podgorica landfill.
Namely, police and municipal police patrols have been constantly on duty at that location in recent days, in order to prevent tire burning and air pollution, which was particularly pronounced during the large fire last weekend.
The area on Ćemovsko polje near the city landfill, where tires have been burned for decades, has been secured by patrols from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and the Municipal Police for several days.
They are working together to prevent the activation of an ecological bomb that threatens the health of the people of Podgorica.
"We are here 24 hours a day. Our patrols are here. Activities have been intensified, from 15 (pm) to XNUMX am... Regardless of other obligations we have. We have focused our efforts on what is a priority," said Igor Ćulafić, PR of the Municipal Police.
City authorities reacted after a fire at Vreli Ribničke seven days ago threatened to spread to the landfill itself, where over 2.000 tons of waste tires are stored.
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For years, environmental activists have been calling on authorities to get more involved and solve this problem, warning that in addition to the risk of fire and destruction of vegetation, burning tires releases carcinogenic particles that are harmful to human health.
The Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Milan Gazdić, spoke about the air that the people of Podgorica breathed while the tires were burning in the Colors of Morning on Television Vijesti.
"Our stations recorded, when that defeat was happening, increases in ... prohibited substances, particles in the air, but in general, the air quality was good," Gazdić said.
The seriousness of the problem is also evidenced by the fact that the new platform "ČUVAJ.ME", which was established about 20 days ago and launched by the Government and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, has received around 100 reports from citizens regarding environmental problems and cases of illegal exploitation of natural resources.
"Over 20 percent of cases are related to burning tires and their illegal disposal," said Gazdić.
Citizens are also contacting the Municipal Police. In six months, they have received 85 reports of improper disposal of municipal waste, 15 of which relate to burning tires. Ćulafić also explains how they proceed.
"Those who attempt to burn tires or cause any kind of damage near the landfill will be arrested on the spot," said Ćulafić.
To prevent this from happening, officers from the Security Department (SB) of Podgorica will also ensure that they visit the Konik Landfill every day to prevent tire burning.
"In the previous period, a meeting was held with the director of the City Landfill Company, Aleksandar Božović, with whom joint, coordinated action was agreed to ensure 24-hour coverage of the Landfill. Police officers will conduct the tour themselves, in cooperation with Landfill officers and other city services," said the Podgorica Police Department.
A camera and floodlights have been installed at the landfill to further discourage offenders.
Burning tires are made up of 60 percent granulate, 35 percent wire, and five percent canvas.
All three elements can be used in production, but arsonists are only interested in the wire, which they sell to the scrapyard for a profit of only a few tens of euros.
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