The chief of the Police, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo says that they have arrested and sent to justice around 20,000 suspected criminals during the first six months of the year.
“Together with state prosecutors, we made progress in our investigations and not only have we arrested contract killers and sent them to justice, we have also caught the masterminds and the middle men. We have arrested around 20,000 criminals, many of whom are fugitives from justice and with criminal records, but a good number of them have returned to the streets without being sentenced,” he said. He urged the judiciary to fulfill its role. He says there is no point in the Police arresting the criminals if the legal system fails to penalize them for the crimes they have committed.
He said that in its first month the new 911 security system has led to a 70% reduction in crimes, especially in the Greater Santo Domingo area, according to statistics. He said that 24 deaths at the hands of criminals were recorded in June 2013, compared to June 2014 when there were only six. He also attributed the reduction to the new police patrols.
For more in Spanish:
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/7/3/328382/PN-dice-sometio-a-20-mil-delincuentes-en-solo-seis-meses