The bishop emeritus of Santo Domingo, Francisco Jose Arnaiz blamed the rising crime rates on the inefficiency of the National Police, and called upon the force to have a greater vocation to serve the people. That said, the bishop also said the higher crime rates are also due to the unequal distribution of wealth, and that the only way to eradicate the criminality was to eradicate poverty, both material and intellectual, as a Dominican way of life. Arnaiz openly questioned the vocation of the police to serve and protect the population. He wonders if many of the police have not enlisted just to mitigate their hunger, and “for the plate of “mangu” or some rice with sausage.” He called for higher salaries for the police officers as well as more and better equipment.