The Very Low Crime Rate in Boquete Today

[Jeff Simon]

I understand the crime rate in Boquete, since April, 2010, is very low and there have been almost no burglaries of expat homes.

Supposed the burglaries in the past were committed by a handful of perps who are now gone. 

What have the rest of you heard on this subject?

Jeff

[Alto al Crimen]

Alto al Crimen (AAC) is a non-profit Foundation, funded by donations, started by concerned expats and Panamanians, NOT a vigilante group. The purpose of the Foundation is to educate the general public on how to avoid becoming a victim, assisting and encouraging victims in reporting of crimes, providing translation services for crime reports and denuncias, and the operation and management of the Boquete Hotline, a free service to the community. The Hotline provides bilingual services to request Police, Fire, Ambulance, and Emergency Roadside services, 24/7. The number is 6477-6662.

AAC was instrumental in facilitating the apprehension of Frederick Allen (Ozzie) Osburn, partner of Roger Imerman in Computer Protection Services. Osburn was responsible for a burglary spree involving dozens of homes and stole goods estimated at up to $100,000 during a six month period.

AAC has encouraged other victims of crimes to report them and helped them through the legal process. One such effort that is currently underway may put a stop to the criminal activities of another local criminal who has been operating at a magnitude similar to or greater than Osburn.

We will never see a zero crime rate. When one crook is locked up, another will appear. Many locals just shrug their shoulders. Many expats rant and rave, yet do not report crimes because of language issues or frustration with the process. Remember that an unreported crime is a successful one, and there is zero chance of recovery of stolen property. DIJ and Boquete Police have been quite diligent in following up on reported crimes, and their efforts have resulted in numerous successful prosecutions, incarcerations, and recovery of stolen goods.

If anyone should be given credit for the decrease in crime, it is the local police and DIJ.

[Jeff Simon]

Pederhaney,

Sorry for my sarcasm but I just have to say......

Wow, what a revelation!!!!!!! No fooling. None of us knew that.

Really???? I thought if I locked all my windows and doors and turned on the invisible force field that engulfs my house, that it would be safe from anything including an alien invasion.

We need more of this kind of input.

Jeff

P.S. God, talk about stating the OBVIOUS. and no one said they thought their house would be totally safe.

[Lee Zeltzer]

Jeff I know you enjoy poking my ribs. Still the obvious needs to be stated, over and over because as is also obvious too many people forget the basic logic after they move here.

Boquete 101 Do not check your brains at the airport.

[Jeff Simon]

Lee,

My previous post that you responded to, begins:

Pederhaney,

duhhhhhhhh

I was responding to Pederhaney's post, not yours....

and no I don't relish poking your ribs.

Ellie's yes, yours "no".

Tongue in cheek, Jeff

[Robert Boyd]

Is Alto Al Crimen a vigilante force? Are they deputized by the Mayor?

[Lee Zeltzer]

Locks will help keep and honest person honest. Bars and dogs will make your house a harder target and therefore your neighbors house a better target. Dogs might provide a warning and a gun might end one tragedy and begin another, Best to be a hard target and smart aware person.

[Jeff Simon]

Marv and Pederhaney,

What I heard was that "crime in Boquete is way down and at a very low level". I assume that means all crimes - regardless of the nationality of the victim.

I agree with Pederhaney that Alto Al Crimen has a lot to do with the reduction in crime. I understand they work in cooperation with the police. So it is kind of a joint effort. I think they have also been providing the police with equipment that helps them do their job better.

This is a good example of the community working with authorities to solve a problem. Let's hope that the very existence of Alto Al Crimen contributes to continued low crime.

Jeff

[Robert Boyd]

A Panamanian friend of mine's house was broken into last Sunday. I think practicing good security is crucial to the prevention of break-ins in individual houses but if a house is vulnerable, it can be broken into and there is nothing anyone including Alto Al Crimen can do to stop it.