Between January and July 2008 34.51% of the DR’s 1,440 registered deaths were the result of violent incidents. According to statistics released by Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda, of all violent deaths 66% were victims of gun wounds. Last year 38% of deaths were attributed to criminal activity, compared to 65.5% this year. According to the statistics, 58.4% of all victims were between the ages of 18 and 34, while 62.5% of all crimes happened between 6pm and 6am. Moreover, 55.2% of crimes happened between Monday and Thursday while 92.6% of victims were men. <\/p>\n
Almeyda is quoted as saying, “our young men are being affected by this violence and we must find a solution to that.” Almeyda says that despite the fact that the crime rate was pegged at 18% at the beginning of the year and there was a 20% increase in crime after the May 16 presidential elections, the DR continues to be a safe place to live. According to statistics, the nation’s most violent cities included Santo Domingo with a 42.25% crime rate, Hato Mayor 41.08%, the National District 40.72%, La Vega 40.51%, Samana 39.18%, San Jose de Ocoa 38.48%, San Cristobal 31.58% and Pedernales 56.59%. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Between January and July 2008 34.51% of the DR’s 1,440 registered deaths were the result of violent incidents. According to statistics released by Interior and Police Minister Franklin Almeyda, of all violent deaths 66% were victims of gun wounds. Last year 38% of deaths were attributed to criminal activity, compared to 65.5% this year. According … <\/p>\n