There was an open meeting in Sosua yesterday (May 21) morning on the subject of the crime rate in the area. The new police commander for the north coast, Coronel Thomas H. Grullart, was there and was the only speaker. He speaks perfect English, having lived, I believe, for much of his life in the US, and also speaks several other languages. Seemed very sincere in wanting to do what he can during the 6 months or so that he will be here to make Sosua a better place to live and he encouraged the people living here to organize because groups are listened to while individuals are not.
He passed out his card to anyone wanting it and encourged people to contact him direct if there was something they wanted to discuss with him, or if they felt they were not getting good help from his officers. His personal email address is also on the card.
I'm worried, however, that it was a missed opportunity. There were an estimated 30-40 extranjeros there, but few if any businesses were represented There seemed to be nothing planned, other than getting the people and Coronel together. There was a sheet for people to put their name, telephone and email address, but few of the 40 or so people there did so. Many people wandered off after the question and answer session with the Coronel without realizing there was a sheet to put the info on.
No discussion about where do we go from here. I hope my concern about it being a missed opportunity is proved wrong.
The people who organized the meeting deserve credit. It was an informative meeting, if nothing else. But they will deserve even more credit if the meeting turns out to have been the first step in an effective organization.
He passed out his card to anyone wanting it and encourged people to contact him direct if there was something they wanted to discuss with him, or if they felt they were not getting good help from his officers. His personal email address is also on the card.
I'm worried, however, that it was a missed opportunity. There were an estimated 30-40 extranjeros there, but few if any businesses were represented There seemed to be nothing planned, other than getting the people and Coronel together. There was a sheet for people to put their name, telephone and email address, but few of the 40 or so people there did so. Many people wandered off after the question and answer session with the Coronel without realizing there was a sheet to put the info on.
No discussion about where do we go from here. I hope my concern about it being a missed opportunity is proved wrong.
The people who organized the meeting deserve credit. It was an informative meeting, if nothing else. But they will deserve even more credit if the meeting turns out to have been the first step in an effective organization.