Cientos de familiares y amigos se congregaron en la explanada donde se celebró el Festival Nova, lugar de la mayor masacre dentro de la oleada de ataques...
- 02/09/2009 02:00
PANAMA. A busy night of crime in the capital city with three murders and three robberies in less than 12 hours has put the spotlight ba...
PANAMA. A busy night of crime in the capital city with three murders and three robberies in less than 12 hours has put the spotlight back on the security issue.
Panama police chief, sub-commissioner Rigoberto Feuillebois, said the national forces would redouble their efforts to improve security and to find the people responsible for the crime wave.
Meanwhile, the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $22.7 million loan to Panama for a program to prevent juvenile violence and improve citizen coexistence and security in municipalities with the highest rates of violence.
The Ministry of Government and Justice will be in charge of the program, which will focus on the municipalities of Colon, David, Panama City and San Miguelito.
“Although Panama has not experienced violence of the scope and magnitude of other countries in the region, there has been a significant increase in insecurity indexes and insecurity perception in the last five years,” said IDB Team Leader Juana Salazar.
“That is why the topic of citizen security and violence prevention has become high priority for the government.”
“The social impact of this program will contribute to the welfare of youths, helping to change their habits, attitudes and values, and providing them with opportunities for development and social inclusion.”
The expected benefits include the reduction in crime rates among youths between the ages of 12 and 29, improved management of violence prevention institutions, and better information systems and recording of crime statistics.
This is intended to develop and more public confidence in national and local institutions.
So far in 2009, 467 people have been murdered in Panama.
Lo Nuevo
