President Leonel Fernandez acknowledged “the intense wave of crime” that has shaken the DR recently, but gave a vote of confidence to the actions of the National Police and its chief, Major General Manuel de Jesus Perez Sanchez. He felt their responses to recent events gave a clear indication of the new authorities’ attitude towards crime. According to Hoy, he denied that the deaths of five gang members in Azua could be classified as executions and maintained that in no way were their human rights violated. Fernandez also revealed that the perpetrators of the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Santo Domingo had been apprehended, as had the authors of the multiple homicide in Navarrete last week. “Police will continue their vigorous fight against any attempt to intimidate Dominican society,” said the President, as he reminded that, despite the recent spate of local violence, the DR was a nation of peace with one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America.
As reported in El Caribe, Fernandez announced that General Perez Sanchez and Police & Interior Minister Franklin Almeyda would travel with him to New York, where discussions with the NYC Police would be held to establish a cooperative dialogue that may assist the DR tackle the latest surge in delinquent activity. Fernandez also said they would meet with Colombian officials to acquaint themselves with their law enforcement strategies and “professionalize” the local police organization. The head of state clarified that the military would be included in police operations only when absolutely necessary. “We must be careful, as the Armed Forces have different functions in the fight against crime.” He assured that the police force would not become militarized.
The President is to meet with officials of the Armed Forces and National Police today to formulate a national plan to prevent crime and violence.