The National Police announced on Tuesday, 7 June 2016 that they had detained 280 people for questioning and temporarily impounded 204 motorcycles, all in the National District. This is the work of a new police patrol system in response to a series of crimes caught on CCTV that have been widely shared and discussed on social media.
The National Police says that during the first shift on Tuesday from 2am-11am, they stopped 149 people for investigation together with 99 motorcycles that were retained for checking. At the same time five knives were confiscated. During the second shift from 5pm-2am 131 people were detained for investigation, 105 motorcycles were impounded and six knives were confiscated by the force. In the northern part of the National District, in the barrios of Maria Auxiliadora, Villa Maria, 27 Febrero and other areas, 76 people were detained for investigation and 49 motorcycles and three knives were seized. In San Carlos, Villa Francisca and surrounding areas the police stopped 35 people and retained 15 motorcycles but did not find any weapons. In central areas of the National District such as Naco, Piantini and Evaristo Morales, 12 people were detained for investigation together with 12 motorcycles and two knives. In Cristo Rey and surrounding neighborhoods the police detained eight people and 31 motorcycles were held for investigation, and in Bella Vista and other areas in the south of the National District there were eight detentions and three motorcycles were retained for investigation.
Critics say that the Police are being reactive instead of pro-active. There is also a widespread perception that many criminals are hiding within the Police and military ranks. As reported in Diario Libre, sociologist and lawyer Cesar Cuello and executive director of the Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice (Finjus) Servio Tulio Castanos Guzman criticized the lack of decisions and strategies on the part of the government to stop violence apart from sending more police to patrol the streets, a measure that has not been effective.
As reported in Diario Libre, the rector of the Universidad Catolica de Santo Domingo (UCSD), Father Jesus Castro Marte called for greater controls on motorcyclists given their use in large number of crimes.
Citizen safety expert Daniel Pou told Diario Libre the government has not been able to organize a successful safety plan.
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/154992-DR-Considers-Outlawing-Guns/page18
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/diputados-aprueban-proyecto-de-armas-de-fuego-ratifican-tratado-de-extradicion-EI3965402
http://www.diariolibre.com/representantes-de-distintos-sectores-cuestionan-que-en-el-pais-no-haya-un-plan-para-enfrentar-la-violencia-DH3966063
Policía Nacional ha detenido 280 personas en primeros días de plan
http://www.policianacional.gov.do
