Recent statements by the Chief of the National Police that there has been a decline in crime are contradicted by the perception of El Nuevo Diario readers, who in 81.5% of their answers said that there was as much or more crime nowadays. The online survey indicates that perceptions between the people and the head of the police force, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo differ. The Police Chief said on Tuesday, 29 October that the preventive actions by the Police, together with the Armed Forces, have reduced criminal activity to just 16.6% of its former level, according to the number of violent deaths per 100,000 people. These statements contrast sharply with the murders of a colonel in the Armed Forces and a major in the Fire Department who was killed to steal his motorcycle.