With the onset of the Jazz Festival so close it's important to warn visitors to exercise caution.
A week or two ago, tourists on a group outing at a swimming hole between Dolega and David were robbed at gunpoint by two youths who stole money, cell phones, driver's licenses, passports, etc.
An 80 yr old man in Caldera was killed this weekend, as well. His hands and feet were tied, and they put a plastic bag over his head. He died of suffocation.
http://elsiglo.com/cronica-roja/asesinado-para-robarle/23838989
See article re: this below.
Don't crucify the messenger, folks. Just be careful.
Excuse the google translation....
So far in 2015, violence in Chiriqui has left four more deaths in the same period of 2014, when five deaths were recorded. The authorities attribute these events to gangs operating in the province.
Violence in Chiriquí, linked to gang
Nine violent deaths have occurred in the province of Chiriqui in the first 25 days of this year, a situation that puts a halt to local authorities and prosecutors, who say that most of these events are linked to gangs.
Figures prosecutors reveal that for the past in January year five homicides, one of which is recorded the lawyer José Echeverri, who drew attention because it was recorded when this was in a place of fun and was shot dead by an individual who hid his face with a cap, so local chambers could not record his face.
To the chief prosecutor first of Chiriquí, Hernán de Jesus Mora, the situation is worrying because there have been nine bloody incidents in which firearms were used.
"It's a statistic that makes us think as authorities, and we are doing everything possible to clarify the facts," he said.
The most recent case was the murder of Dario Gonzalez, 80 years old, in the community of Caldera, Boquete district.
González lived alone, had a grocery store, and early research suggests that his attacker put a plastic bag over his head, so he allegedly suffocated.
Also, this week in the residential area of La Perla, where a school was located, was killed with a firearm young student José Aníbal Cerrud.
- See more at:http://impresa.prensa.com/nacionales/Violencia-Chiriqui-ligada-pandillerismo_0_4127587252.html#sthash.dSG1JQaj.dpuf
Replies
It is very sad and disturbing what is happening world wide in regard to crime, particularly in our own area. As violence is increasing, so is the response from the general population. More people are asking us for a free safety evaluation and more people are taking crime more seriously. In the last few months we have seen an influx of people adding security, traveling to David with a buddy and living life with a bit more preparation. This behavior is necessary world wide and not just Panama. Well done! There is updated information on our website, with many inexpensive simple ideas, like auto timers and increased lighting outside.
Be safe!
Gang members are responsible for 2/3 of the deaths in Chiriqui
This article outlines the efforts being made to reduce crime by youth gangs in Chiriqui. Seventeen gangs have been identified who are basically divided into two factions at odds with each other. Twenty-three new personnel from the Police have been dispatched to help deal with the situation.
José Vásquez (provinias.pa@epasa.com)
80% de las armas decomisadas por la policía estaban en manos de pandilleros.
@periodistajose
Seis de los nueve homicidios que se han registrado en el mes de enero en la provincia de Chiriquí están vinculados con casos de pandillerismo, lo que ha generado preocupación entre los empresarios, la sociedad, la Policía Nacional, Ministerio Público y las autoridades del Gobierno, debido al grado de inseguridad que hay en esta región del país.
Los esfuerzos del Gobierno no parecen ser efectivos, al menos en el programa Barrios Seguros, insignia de la actual administración para prevención del delito. De los 60 jóvenes que iniciaron el programa, solo quedan las dos terceras partes, lo que indica que más de un 30% abandonó el programa.
Por su parte, el comisionado Abdul Ledezma, jefe de la zona de policía de Chiriquí, confirmó que seis de los nueve homicidios que han ocurrido en enero tienen que ver con pandilleros.
El comisionado señala que oficialmente operan 17 grupos definidos como pandillas.
“En la actualidad, hay dos grupos de estas bandas que están en una franca disputa, por lo cual la Policía Nacional está orientando los esfuerzos necesarios para desarticularlos”, afirmó el jefe de la zona policial.
Añadió que a través de los organismos de inteligencia y en coordinación con las autoridades del Ministerio Público se harán los esfuerzos que sean necesarios para retener y judicializar a los que formen parte de estos grupos delictivos.
Confirmó el oficial que llegaron de la provincia de Panamá 23 unidades del bloque de búsqueda, con el objetivo de “caerles” a los lugares en donde las autoridades han identificado que operan estos grupos.
El comisionado Ledezma asegura que en materia operacional se aumentará el pie de fuerza en horas de la noche en la ciudad y se le solicita a la comunidad apoyo, debido a que los operativos podrían ocasionar molestias en la comunidad.
Resaltó que se hará cumplir el toque de queda que está vigente en la provincia desde el mes de abril del año pasado, cuando fue instaurado por la gobernadora en ese momento, Rita Fundara.
Señala que en las próximas horas se harán reuniones que permitan coordinar las acciones de todos los estamentos para combatir las pandillas.
Gobernador
La primera autoridad de la provincia, Hugo Méndez, asegura que preocupa el número de homicidios que se han registrado en el mes de enero en Chiriquí, y peor cuando seis de ellos están relacionados con casos de pandillerismo.
“Se ha conversado con los estamentos de seguridad, con el ánimo de tomar las medidas lo más pronto posible para devolverles la tranquilidad que merecen todos los chiricanos”, afirmó Méndez.
Dijo que las acciones serán de mano dura contra las pandillas y se harán las necesarias en coordinación con las autoridades del Ministerio Público.
El gobernador asegura que se tratará de neutralizar estos grupos que ocasionan el luto en muchas familias y generan inseguridad.
Sin embargo, el representante del Ejecutivo en Chiriquí dijo que todo indica que en Chiriquí hay actividades del crimen organizado no solo a nivel local, sino internacional, por lo cual se busca reforzar la frontera para impedir la entrada de personas vinculadas con actividades ilícitas.
Afirmó que la provincia de Chiriquí recibirá apoyo con unidades del Senan y el Senafront para apoyar el pie de la Policía Nacional en áreas donde se están registrando estos hechos.
Según la Policía Nacional, el año pasado se sacaron de circulación 178 armas de fuego, de las cuales 80% pertenecía a las pandillas y fueron entregadas por las personas que se beneficiaron del programa Barrios Seguros con más Oportunidades.
Este año, se han entregado cinco armas por un expandillero que permanece detenido en la cárcel de David, quien mantenía estas pistolas y una Mini-Uzi escondida en el barrio Elisa Chiari.
Ministro Aguilera dice que trata de sumar a jóvenes a Barrios Seguros
El programa Barrios Seguros con más Oportunidades, en la provincia de Chiriquí, que busca sacar a jóvenes de las pandillas, registra una deserción de 20 jóvenes de los 60 que iniciaron el programa el año pasado, informaron fuentes del programa.
El propio ministro de Seguridad, Rodolfo Aguilera, reconoció que en Chiriquí varios jóvenes decidieron abandonar el programa, a su juicio por supuesta mala experiencia que tuvieron en algún momento cuando se quiso implementarlo.
“Estamos haciendo el trabajo de convencer a los jóvenes pandilleros para que ingresen al programa y para eso estamos contratando a trabajadores sociales y psicólogos, para que hagan el trabajo en unión con la Policía”.
If you want a gun here it is easy to obtain one here just like in the gun free zones of Chicago and Washington D.C.
Pass all the laws you want about licensing and you will not change the fact that criminals do not care about laws that's why they are criminals.
I will bet that more people are killed by jerk offs on their cell phones while driving than guns in any western country. I don't include Africa or the Middle East because there are more guns than cell phones.
True dat! Say, Keith, do you happen to have that phone number ...?
The president of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela, announced today, January 25, that he has asked the Public Prosecutor (MP) to streamline the processes for youth-related crimes.
"There are 200 gangs and we have asked the Public Prosecutor that we will simply have to send all young people people who insist on taking that road to prison, because they are responsible for a large part of the killings that are taking place in this country," he said.
In relation to his recent visit to Davos, Switzerland, Varela commented that "The name of this country is high profile. By hosting the Summit of the Americas we are in a very high stature, as this important event will be attended by the Secretary of the United Nations, many heads of State, employers and academics".
The statements of the President given today Sunday in the closure of the thirty-sixth Congress Youth National Renewal, where also announced the construction of a convention center that will be the name of the Father Second Family Cano. -
See more at: http://www.prensa.com/provincias/Varela-agilizar-procesos-relaciona...
There have not been too many details in the press. Last Monday there was a report in one of the papers with a picture of a pretty, 14 year-old girl who had gone missing the previous Saturday. On Wednesday she and her boyfriend, alleged to be a gang member, were found in the river, both had been shot dead.
According to someone I know in 'plainclothes' it was her brother, another gang member, who was executed at the ICED school in Las Perlas this Saturday.
The senseless murder of Sr.Gonzalez in Caldera is disturbing.
In another discussion, I outlined the President's response and vow to crack down on young hoodlums here and in the province of Panama.
As long as juveniles are not prosecuted there will continue to be these senseless murders and robberies. A 16 or 17 year old male is as big as a man. The communities need to give these kids something constructive to do. There just isn't much in the way of sports at the school level or after school sports. Maybe there needs to be boys clubs or YMCA type activities. Something besides gangs and killings.
Joanne.....you are 100% correct on this.
One of the 9 was a 21 year old male in Las Lomas. He is the brother of my neighbors maid. He was shot in the head. The police are thinking he was robbed by gang members for drug money. That's an easy out by the police. I do hope they do a better job of investigating this incident and don't just "assume.".
His funeral was yesterday. I don't know the facts and hesitate to ask Anna as I'm sure she is suffering the lost of her baby brother.
Has anyone read in the Spanish news or heard on radio or TV of this incident?
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