''Trapito'' is the Argentinian term for an
extortion
Extortion is the practice of obtaining benefit through coercion. In most jurisdictions it is likely to constitute a criminal offence; the bulk of this article deals with such cases. Robbery is the simplest and most common form of extortion, ...
ist who runs a
protection racket
A protection racket is a type of racket and a scheme of organized crime perpetrated by a potentially hazardous organized crime group that generally guarantees protection outside the sanction of the law to another entity or individual from viol ...
in which they ostensibly guard parked cars, while actually vandalizing or stealing the cars of those who refuse to pay.
Description
''Trapitos'' ask for a substantial "tip" for guarding cars that motorists park on the street. The name ''trapito'' comes from the Spanish word for a small piece of cloth or rag, which the ''trapitos'' use for identification. If a driver refuses to pay the ''trapito'' will vandalize or steal the car.
The amount of money is arbitrarily set by the ''trapito'', not by the person who parks the car. The charge starts around
$40 and can rise to $250 in locations near popular nightspots, attractions or events.
The NGO "Defendamos Buenos Aires" estimates that there are nearly 1,000 ''trapitos'' in
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires ( or ; ), officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires ( es, link=no, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires), is the capital and primate city of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata, on South ...
. Their activities are linked to the
barra brava
''Barra brava'' () is the name of organized supporters' groups of football teams in Latin America, analogous to British hooligans in providing fanatical support to their clubs in stadiums and provoking violence against rival fans as well as ag ...
groups of football fans.
Regulation
Article 79 of the Argentine
Contravention
In many civil law countries (e.g.: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Brazil) a contravention is a non-criminal offense, similar to an infraction or civil penalty in common law countries.
France
Contravention is, in French la ...
al Code allows the request of tips, unless it involves extortion. This provision makes the law
unenforceable
An unenforceable contract or transaction is one that is valid but one the court will not enforce. Unenforceable is usually used in contradiction to void (or ''void ab initio'') and voidable. If the parties perform the agreement, it will be valid, ...
, as it is almost impossible to prove a threat was made. Police would have to witness the ''trapito'' at the moment of the extortion, and the legal system must have proof of such extortion. There were 3,191 complaints in 2013, but 95% were dismissed for lack of evidence, and none went to trial. As the ''trapitos'' do not work in private
parking lots their activity contravenes the rules for
public space
A public space is a place that is open and accessible to the general public. Roads (including the pavement), public squares, parks, and beaches are typically considered public space. To a limited extent, government buildings which are open to ...
s, for which only the state has rights to set limits on or charge for its usage.
In the legislature of Buenos Aires, the
Republican Proposal
Republican Proposal ( es, link=no, Propuesta Republicana) is a centre-right
political party in Argentina. It is usually referred to by its abbreviation, PRO. PRO was formed as an electoral alliance in 2005, but was transformed into a national p ...
(PRO, aligned with mayor
Mauricio Macri
Mauricio Macri (; born 8 February 1959) is an Argentine businessman and politician who served as the President of Argentina from 2015 to 2019. He has been the leader of the Republican Proposal (PRO) party since its founding in 2005. He previo ...
) and the
Front for Victory
The Front for Victory ( es, Frente para la Victoria, FPV) was a centre-left Peronist electoral alliance in Argentina, and is formally a faction of the Justicialist Party. Former presidents Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner we ...
(FPV, aligned with president
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
Cristina Elisabet Fernández de Kirchner (; born 19 February 1953), often referred to by her initials CFK, is an Argentine lawyer and politician who has served as the Vice President of Argentina since 2019. She also served as the President o ...
) have opposing views on the issue. The PRO wants to ban the activity completely, but has been unable to secure the votes needed to enact the proposed bill. The FPV wants instead to regulate ''cuidacoches'' (car guards) and proposed a law for this purpose, which was vetoed by Macri.
See also
*
Car guard
A car guard is an informally employed person in charge of finding parking spots for cars and ensuring the safety of those cars until their owners return. These self-employed individuals often charge a nominal fee. They may euphemistically be called ...
*
Valet boy
Valet boy ( ms, Jaga kereta) is a term used in some countries to refer to young people who ask for fees from those who park at the roadside. Valet boys usually work in groups, and demand an RM 1-5 "parking fee" from car owners, under an agreemen ...
*
Franelero {{Unreferenced, date=May 2015
Franeleros are people who have as main activity guarding or keeping an eye on cars parked in several streets in certain places in large Mexican cities, getting a tip as a reward, which sometimes is established by them. ...
References
{{Reflist
Crime in Buenos Aires
Informal occupations
Street performance
Parking
Extortion