Since the removal of the Caldera police checkpoint, the gate to crime is wide open.

[Robert Berding]

Yesterday morning I drove to Terronal in David. No checkpoints at all. I saw no police at the mall. Only private security guards. 

[Maureen Pilson]

The Caldera checkpoint seems to be back in business. A line of about 30 cars waiting to go to David from Boquete about 1/2 hour ago.

[louis josey]

are they all Panamanian?

[Mateo]

According to the Ministerio Público someone has pleaded to weapons charges associated with this crime and he has been sentenced. 

http://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/lo-condenan-64-meses-prision-posesi...

El sujeto condenado, también se encuentra imputado el día 16 de octubre de 2017, bajo cargos por el delito de Homicidio y con una medida de detención provisional, en perjuicio de dos miembros de la Fuerza Pública, hecho ocurrido el 13 de octubre de 2017, en el control policial que colinda con la salida del Corredor Norte en Chilibre.

The press did name names.  See search below.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22Irene+Cede%C3%B1o%22+%22acuerdo%...

[Amanda Firestone]

Weapons charges??? What about murder?

[Keith Woolford]

Amanda, that individual is still facing homicide charges along with the other two adults.

El sujeto condenado, también se encuentra imputado el día 16 de octubre de 2017, bajo cargos por el delito de Homicidio y con una medida de detención provisional, en perjuicio de dos miembros de la Fuerza Pública

[Michael Johnson]

But the murder rate here is nothing compared to Murder Worth. 

[Pantah]

There has always been "4 gates to crime". Only one is the checkpoint. You can see them on Waze and Google Maps if one bothers to check (like the bad guys do). I have personally been on all 4.

[Bill]

True, but two of them are much more difficult to use and a third one was periodically checked by the officers working the nearby checkpoint, especially when an incident had occurred.  Most people believe that the checkpoint had a positive effect.  

It appears that you and the cat were pleased with the closure, but my guess is that you are in the minority.

[Pantah]

Bill, I am afraid you are right. A good idea suffered "mission creep". Initial idea was stickers for Boquete area residents. It has morphed. A lively discussion is going on now at the Boquete News facebook group.

For me perception is not reality. I have been asking for stats, but up to now only opinions. It does give a "feel good" vibe to some.

As an aside: the transito presence there is actually a good thing for me, as my vehicle is not totally legal, and I almost never need to cross the checkpoint. So more transitos there means less transitos here.

[El Gato]

No stopping, wasting time and fuel.

Isnt it great!