Natives would say pollution is by far the biggest issue for Baia Mare, a city of miners located in the North of Romania. It’s definitely the first thing we noticed after an exhausting 14-hour journey by train. Despite real concerns of irresponsible mining and the ensuing lead dioxide and sulphur leaks, NGOs and the press diverted everyone’s attention with something else: a wall that supposedly isolates the Roma community.

When the outrage was at its peak in Bucharest, Romania, so much so that the US Embassy issued a press release supporting the Romas, citizens of Baia Mare were mostly unaware of it. Many of them claim that it was a hoax artificially blown up by NGOs.

A quick Google search will fill your screen with articles describing an alleged “Great Wall of Baia Mare,” with sad stories about “gypsies being isolated in a ghetto” or “the start of official segregation in Romania.” Except it resembles a fence rather than a wall. It’s less than five feet high, and protects only the side of the building that faces the road. This is a high traffic road connecting Baia Mare to the city Sighetu Marmatiei. The remaining three sides are free of all restrictions.

Why was this built anyway? Mostly because of little Roma kids who kept throwing all sorts of trash at the cars passing the road, meaning literally whole bags of garbage. “They threw a tire on the road just in front of me as I was driving, ” says one local, “forcing me to a suddenly stop. I almost hit the car beside me.” The tire trick is frequently used get drivers to stop so they can be robbed.

Some of the cabins Romas have built on public and private land were evacuated, an action heavily criticized by the NGOs. We contacted Mr. Emil Aluas, President of the Pro West Foundation, an NGO that supports activities to establish the Union Party of Transylvania and Romania. The conversation began with a fiery speech about the “concept of a wall as a symbol of isolation, alienation, and segregation.” Appointing two policemen to guard the area, according to Alaus, and planting a hedgerow are much nicer, more effective solutions.

VICE: How would you describe a journey from Baia Mare to Sighetu Marmației before that wall was built?
Emil Aluas: It might have been difficult.

Have you ever interacted with a Roma who was determined to rob a car?
No, not really.

Do you think two cops could manage to stop the crimes of several dozen young Romas?
Well, there should be more of them, indeed. But it would only be a temporary solution, until they are relocated.

So, relocation is a necessary solution?
Seems so.