The National Police and AMET patrols walked the streets alone in the downtown sections of the National District (Santo Domingo) and the major commercial areas yesterday, Wednesday 25 December. The stores were closed for the Christmas Day holiday and the Police imposed almost total security and order. The police and AMET (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) members, along with a tiny number of locals were the only ones out on the streets yesterday as Santo Domingo very quietly celebrated the birth of Jesus, according to the El Dia newspaper. Most big stores were closed. Even the bus stops were nearly empty as the buses awaited their passengers, often leaving with just a half dozen people on the way out of town. Things will pick up today, Thursday 26 and tomorrow Friday 27 December. But expect a very quiet day also on Wednesday, 1 January 2014 as people nationwide sleep over the 31 December New Year partying.