The Abinader administration will continue with the pilot security program begun in the National District Cristo Rey barrio. The government is applying a comprehensive program that includes collecting unauthorized firearms, improving sports and cultural centers in the barrio and medical services, among other efforts to reduce crime.
During the first two months of the Cristo Rey security pilot plan some 300 illegal firearms were voluntarily turned in. The government reports another 1,451 have been received nationwide through other state agencies and decentralized organizations as part of the Integral Strategy for Citizen Security My Safe Country, the security program launched by the Ministry of Interior and Police two months ago. The Ministry of Interior & Police says there are more than 238,000 illegal firearms in circulation.
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In a presentation at the Presidential Palace, Minister of Interior and Police Jesus (Chu) Vasquez said the program has been successful and will be extended to La Puya, La Zurza and Ensanche La Fe in the National District and to San Francisco de Macoris in Duarte province in the northcentral Cibao region.
Meanwhile, findings of a recent report on the perception of crime carried out by Participación Ciudadana civic watchdog group with USAID funding reveals three main causes for crime. The perception is that the consumption of alcohol, dysfunctional families, disintegration of the family nucleus, and lack of jobs are the main reasons for the increase in crime. However, PC director Fatima Lorenzo said the survey revealed that 70% of polled from November 2020 to March 2021 for the study said they don’t trust National Police officers.
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Ministry of Interior and Police
10 August 2021