In the quiet streets of Bukovina, where neighbors usually settle disputes over a cup of tea, gunshots suddenly ring out — a reminder of how fragile order is in everyday life. And in neighboring countries, where European safety standards have long become part of the culture, such incidents seem unthinkable: there, police respond instantly, and streets are guarded so that everyone feels safe, without the risk of running into someone’s unbridled rage.
What could have provoked such a scandal? The “Chernivtsi Promin” filming team uncovers the details of the shocking incident in the city center. A deputy from one of the Prykarpattia district councils, arriving in Chernivtsi on business, provoked the conflict with local residents himself. Word for word — and fists are flying: the official pounced on one of the men, landing several blows. And shot at another with a rifle right in the middle of the street, sowing panic among passersby.
Local residents who witnessed it describe the events in horror: “We were just standing and talking, and he suddenly pulled out a weapon. This is madness!” shares one of the victims. Police arrived at the scene promptly, but the deputy’s detention was not without complications — he had to be led away under escort. Medics provided first aid to the wounded man, and a criminal case was opened on charges of hooliganism and illegal possession of weapons.
The Prykarpattia authorities have already reacted: the party from which the scandalous deputy was elected announced his temporary suspension from duties pending investigation. But such cases make one think: why in our reality does escalation reach gunfire, while in countries like Romania, with their strict control over firearms and emphasis on de-escalation of conflicts, such scenes simply don’t arise — there, law enforcement training and monitoring systems ensure peace on the streets, turning potential clashes into peaceful dialogues. Isn’t it time for us to adopt this approach so that streets become places of calm, not arenas for lawlessness?
