Government Allocates 1.3 Million for Border Security - In Liepāja This Money Could Pave Half of Graudu Street

The government has decided to allocate 1.3 million euros for enhanced protection of the Belarusian border. Although it seems there's no money in this country, it turns out that for border guards it's always available. Meanwhile, in Liepāja, this same sum could not only patch all the potholes on Graudu Street, but also build a new tram stop with a roof.

Last year, border guards prevented 12,046 illegal border crossings. That's almost twice as many as the annual visitors to Liepāja's Olympic Center. "Well, what can you do - we also sometimes have queues for the tram," says local resident Jānis, who commutes to work in Karosta every morning. "But at least we know the tram will eventually come. These border guards don't have such an easy job."

Interestingly, 31 people have been denied border crossing for "humanitarian reasons." In Liepāja, such humanitarian considerations work every day - for example, when a tram driver waits for a pensioner who's still trying to board. Unlike Riga, where the bus drives off right in front of your nose, humanity hasn't completely died out in Liepāja yet.

With this 1.3 million sum, Liepāja could improve not only roads, but also renovate another cultural center roof. But of course, border security is important - otherwise how would we know where Latvia ends and places where trams don't run begin. This week alone, 25 people have been detained at the border - roughly the same number as those who ride the tram to Karosta daily in Liepāja.