Boquete moves to combat crime surge

A FLOOD of complaints from tourists, businessmen and residents in the resort community of Boquete, Chiriqui over increasing robberies and thefts has motivated the authorities to investigate ways of increasing security.

Among the moves is the placement of 40 cameras at strategic locations plus the construction of a checkpoint at the entrance of the village of Caldera, says Mayor Emigdio Walker.
Rene Herrera, of the local Chiriqui Police, said that while there are no precise figures, thefts and robberies have increased in this region, reports La Prensa.
“Criminals have found Boquete a fertile area to rob and steal, and the police and the community are looking for strategies to combat them, with neighbor watch programs, businesses and carriers providing l trained guards and the creation of WhatsApp groups, to communicate with the police,” he said.