It began with a simple idea: If the state does not help us, we will find the money ourselves. Therefore, Litvínov officials called on the private sector to take part in a fundraising event to provide better security conditions for the problematic residential area of Janov. The money, meant to be used toward a new police car and more rubbish bins, was collected within the first three days.
“It’s not a planned action; we were annoyed by the lack of activity from the state authorities,” Litvínov Mayor Daniel Volák said. “And since there was a CZK 15 million deficit in out municipal budget, caused by a decline in earnings, we had to find other resources to manage basic operations.”
‘Help Litvínov deal with Janov’
In the beginning of May, the mayor addressed members of the regional economic chamber in Most and some other local entrepreneurs with a simple proposal: Help Litvínov deal with Janov. “Janov is not an unimportant part of town,” Volák said. “It is home to many entrepreneurs, or at least to their employees, and that’s why we want to maintain the housing estate clean and safe.”
The idea was met immediately with positive feedback. Even the board of directors of the economic chamber in Most supported the plan.
“We’re concerned about the escalating situation in Janov,” the board members wrote in their official announcement. “It has a negative impact on business security and lowers the real value of assets in the affected areas. Therefore, we are calling on the members to reconsider their sponsor activities to the benefit of Janov.”
The required funds were transferred to the project’s bank account within three days of the launch of fundraising. The largest amount came from local miners. “Those of us who mine in the vicinity of Litvínov consider helping our duty,” said Petr Kolman, director of the Litvínovská uhelná mining firm.
Fundraising not over
Meanwhile, money from other donors has been arriving. Mayor Volák said he expects the total amount to reach several million crowns.
“We’d be happy for donations even from medium and small companies,” he said. “There is nothing else behind it but solidarity among the locals.”
The efficiency of this aid, however, is questionable. Officials claim that getting a new mobile office for the police (a police car to move only around Janov) and 37 waste containers have been approved by Janov’s municipal council.
When the former city administration set up a temporary police office in Janov, however, the locals hardly acknowledged it. “Only a few minor offences were reported,” Karel Šefl, deputy head of the Litvínov police, said in March. “Otherwise, the boys had nothing to do.”
As of the summer holiday, the housing development is going to have an extra police car. The locals oppose the move. “The police circle around here all the time already,” longtime resident Štefan Mihok said. “And they always go after us, the Roma. They leave the white men alone.”
