In Russia, Electronic “Eyes” Bring Order to Street Trading
An AI-powered video analytics system built on a regional camera network is helping authorities crack down on illegal trading in public spaces.
In the Moscow region, street trading is being monitored using computer vision algorithms connected to the Bezopasny Region (Safe Region) camera network. The system now includes more than 6,500 cameras installed in areas with heavy foot traffic. Algorithms automatically analyze video feeds, looking for telltale signs of illegal trading, including makeshift stalls, selling goods by hand, or placing products outside designated zones.
When potential violations are detected, the system generates alerts for the relevant services. Inspectors no longer need to manually review footage or patrol areas blindly. Instead, they receive ready-made information identifying the location and nature of each violation.
Trading Must Be Legal
The AI analytics system operates in some of the busiest parts of the Moscow region. Cameras are installed at railway stations, near shopping centers, in underground and surface pedestrian crossings, in parking areas, residential courtyards, and public spaces. These are precisely the locations where unauthorized street vendors most often appear.
According to the press service of the Moscow Region Ministry of Public Administration, Information Technologies, and Communications, the algorithms recorded more than 40,000 violations of trading rules over the past year.
AI Detects, Inspectors Act
AI usage has significantly reduced the time between identifying a violation and responding to it. Previously, much of the workload fell on inspectors, who had to personally check problem areas or respond to complaints. Now the system itself detects violations and assigns tasks to enforcement teams.
The Bezopasny Region system was originally designed to ensure public safety. Today, it is also used for broader urban oversight. This not only helps maintain order on the streets but also creates fairer conditions for businesses operating legally. Vendors who avoid taxes and fees are effectively pushed out of the market, while consumers can purchase goods in safer, regulated environments. Regional authorities say video analytics services will continue to evolve. As the street camera network expands and algorithms are further trained, the system will be able to identify new types of violations and respond more quickly to illegal trading, allowing oversight agencies to work more efficiently without increasing staff or conducting constant raids.
