The Listin Diario newspaper points out there were 12 victims of violence over the weekend, adding to 28 other violent deaths over the past eight weeks. El Siglo newspaper points out that 102 civilians and several policemen were killed, primarily in confrontations with the Police and the Armed Forces at "colmadones" (corner grocery shops turned into bars) and discos. Many of the deaths that resulted from cross fires were linked to drug trafficking activities. El Siglo reports November was the most violent month with 25 persons described by the Police as delinquents, murdered. The Police argues that the judiciary sets the criminals free and thus has taken upon itself the eliminating of "undesirables" from city streets, attributing the deaths to the cross fires. Vice President Milagros Ortiz admitted there has been an increase in violence locally, but emphasized the DR continues to be one of the most tranquil and safe places in Latin America. She says there is a need for a Police with a community vision and attributed the rise in crime to the globalization of crime.
