Panama City authorities have launched a major operation to reclaim public spaces being used illegally for private parking. The initiative, led by the city’s Directorate of Works and Construction, focuses on restoring safe pedestrian access in the capital district. This week’s actions targeted the busy Eusebio A. Morales Avenue in the Bella Vista neighborhood.
Officials from the city’s Urban Police unit documented significant hazards for pedestrians. Thousands of residents were forced to walk in dangerous conditions because the public right of way was completely blocked by parked vehicles. The city says private businesses and residents had illegally appropriated these areas, installing makeshift barriers to reserve parking spots on sidewalks and public easements.
Enforcement and Restoration Efforts Begin
Work crews moved in to physically remove the unauthorized vehicles and the concrete “topes,” or bumps, used to cordon off the space. Their immediate task is rehabilitating the sidewalks and the servitude area for public use. Legal representatives of the implicated businesses and property owners have also been summoned for official hearings to determine their responsibilities and potential penalties.
“The purpose is to provide available and safe areas for pedestrians so they can move about,” said a statement from the Mayor’s Office of Panama. [Translated from Spanish]
The operation underscores a broader commitment to urban planning that prioritizes people over cars. Reclaiming this public space is just the first step. The Directorate of Works and Construction will now refurbish the recovered zones, ensuring they meet safety standards for daily commuters and families in the area.
This crackdown in bella vista signals a stricter enforcement policy against the usurpation of public land. The city has emphasized that the right of way (transportation) is inviolable. Pedestrian safety, officials argue, cannot be compromised for private parking convenience. Further operations in other districts are expected as the municipality continues its city-wide audit of public spaces.