263 killings in 4 months as prevention policies languish

While killings in Panama continue to climb with 263 recorded in the first four months of the year, prevention policies have been sidelined and security forces are committed to reaction practices say criminologists.

 The Government  has yet to approve guidelines developed in 2005  for issue to security agencies,who instead of working to prevent crime, react to it.

Aida Selles director of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Panama, commenting on the the 3.5% increase in the numbers of homicides this year, although police forces continue to be equipped with heavier armament, said that regardless of the percentage increase, the Government should aim more towards prevention and include all stakeholders in their strategies  to warn people about the scenarios that they can become the next victim  and how to avoid it.

Magaly Castillo, of the Citizens Alliance for Justice, said that criminological policy is one of the outstanding debts of the State Pact for Justice, which was signed in 2005.

In her opinion,there is no  policy aimed at preventing violence, so this will increase. In the case of violence against children,  she said that no public entity is equipped to handle cases that occur.

"While there is no coherent state policy, this is very serious for all of  us,”  she said.