Local database

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Robin & Frederick Hackett July 13, 2016 at 6:05pm

I spoke with our attorney in our WhatsApp group about these issues. Cristobal says a database of known local gang members, thieves, house robbers and con men. Would not violate local laws as long as viewed within our group. Not publicly! We are talking about building such a database of the local criminals of, for example the David area. It is well known gangs from David target residents of Boquete. Cristobal believes this is an excellent solution. Not a database of foreigners convicted elsewhere but local criminals. Our sources relate that the prison in David houses 1250 persons who will be released into the community. The economy is doing poorly, so will crime increase? Of course. Our group will be happy to host this database.
Robin
Yeison Pizarrro July 12, 2016 at 6:47pm

Hi, I am a Panamanian attorney and can endorse this private sharing of "convicted" criminals photos. If our local news can show fugitives from the penal system with known biometric data; faces etc. Then a private WhatsApp can certainty do the same since it would by in group viewing only. As long as you do not post pictures of unconvicted persons publicaly. Or cause libel or slanderous actions against a Panamanian citizen.
Y. Pizarro
Attorney
- olga suarez > Yeison Pizarrro July 13, 2016 at 11:54am
  
  Yes but would this not violate their rights? For example, you have a US expat, who had a past conviction but now lives in Panama. He is not a criminal in Panama and obviously if he is allowed to be in Panama his conviction was not a major crime, otherwise he cannot have a residency in Panama, or let's say this person who had a criminal record in the US, stays in Panama with a tourist visa, publishing this information could be harmful to the person.
  
  Panama does not have a public record, criminal record public system where anyone can check on a person's criminal record, as the US and other areas do. In Panama the names of certain criminals are only published in the news when the news break, but there is no way of really knowing if the person was convicted of the crime or how long that person was sentenced to jail for, therefore NOT being a lawyer, I would assume that publishing people's faces will really put you on the borderline of slander/libel or perhaps profiling.
  
  How do you know the people who reside in Boquete who have a criminal record? Means doing investigations on anyone and everyone right? is this allowed by Panamanian law?
  
  I personally do not care, I am an open book and my life is known to all, but some members of the community live in Panama to protect their privacy.
  
  Also, would this not lead to profiling of suspected Panamanian criminals, even if they have not been convicted?
  
  Again, I AM NOT A LAWER nor do I try to be, but these are questions that would concern me on this topic.
  - H Gene Lawrence > olga suarez July 13, 2016 at 2:08pm
    
    Olga, people in this OP are talking about convicted known criminals. The above attorney said it would be NOT against Panamanian Law. No one has suggested other than known CONVICTED criminals. That would aliviate your other concerns.
Robin & Frederick Hackett July 12, 2016 at 6:37pm

Mr. Harris, we have a lawyer in our WhatsApp group which we could ask. This may be a good idea if everyone would use the database to circulate the data. Our local residents could justify the use of this information to protect thier lives and property. I have seen similiar databases locally maintained back home. In a private/non public group this would be private and protected communication with the communities' interests in mind.I'll get back to you.
Robin
Bobbie Harris July 12, 2016 at 6:13pm

*can't* not ~can~

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Local database

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