President Leonel Fernandez has extended the Security Plan (Seguridad Democratica), which was initially implemented as a pilot program in Santo Domingo’s Capotillo district, to 12 neighborhoods in the northern part of the city. The plan is aimed at reducing crime.
According to a report in Diario Libre, the President believes that the DR is now a safer place, with a stronger Police Department that is better prepared to tackle crime. The neighborhoods where the plan will now be implemented are Villas Agricolas, La Zurza, La Cienaga, Simon Bolivas, 24 de Abril, Espaillat, Luperon, Gualey, Las Canitas, 27 de Febrero, Guachupita and Los Guandules. Gualey priest Modesto Tavares warns that if the program is not combined with job creation and cost of living reduction programs, its success will be short-lived.
Listin Diario reports on the initial success of the plan implemented in Capotillo last year. This security plan includes 200 scholarships for the training of students in criminology at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). They will later be included in the community police for six months. A contingent of 1,340 officers will be used in the plan.
According to El Caribe, Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda explained that the Police Department, the Ministry of Interior and Police, the Ministry of Education, the First Lady’s Office, the state-owned electricity companies, the National Housing Institute, the Ministry of Sports and other official institutions are involved in this plan.