Curfew crackdown

PANAMA. Around 86 minors were arrested on the first night of a curfew imposed by the Ministry of Government and Justice.

In the capital city on Monday, 26 minors were arrested in El Chorrillo, Calidonia, Chilibre, Pueblo Nuevo and Don Bosco, which are areas that have major problems with gangs.

The detained adolescents and children were taken to the Children and Adolescents Police headquarters.

In Colon too were 35 arrests, Herrera 6, Bocas del Toro 4, Veraguas, 3, Cocle 3, Los Santos 3, La Chorrera 3, San Miguelito 2 and Chiriqui 1.

The National Police General Department has made legal assistance available to those arrested during the curfew.

The curfew for those under 18 who are not accompanied by their parents, legal guardians, tutors or responsible adults started on Monday and lasts from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and will continue indefinitely.

This preventive measure said a spokesman of the Ministry of Government and Justice is aimed at curbing the wave of violence in the country where minors are frequently involved in criminal activities connected with gangs.

Reports from the National Police showed that the number of adolescents connected with shootings, stabbings, robberies and thefts has increased steadily over the last five years. The phenomenon has been most noticeable in the Panama and Colon provinces.

Those parents whose children have been arrested should go to the Children and Adolescents Police stations with copy of the minor’s birth certificate and their identification documents (cedula).