Chiriquí Watch

In a recent comment, I was made aware of a user driven public service Internet system.

It is intended to be used to record observations from the community related to all items that affect the community’s well being. Examples could be robberies, vandalism, suspicious observations, road conditions, etc.

It should not intended to post your neighbor’s daughter’s fifth birthday, even though I am sure that is important.

All of this is a part of Ushahid. “Ushahidi” means “testimony” in Swahili.

What I have activated for Chiriquí is a piece of the system called CROWDMAP.

With the advances in technology, we may be able to make Chiriquí a shining example of communities, in a province, joining together to provide the information to prevent crime, solve crime and raise the awareness of all involved.

As you will see, you are permitted to include a photo or video if it is appropriate.

I am learning the system as you are. Let’s call this a beta test. I invite you to join in.

Let me introduce you to http://chiriqui.crowdmap.com/

37 thoughts on “Chiriquí Watch”

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  3. Don, My hat is off to you!!! This looks like it will be a very usefull tool to us Ex-Pats (when my wife and I do get to move to Panama). Do you think that this might be used as a “map” to see where the Grengos live, as they are the only ones who would be listing with you when they have a problem and they have to notify the police. Just a thought.

    Steve Myers
    Baton Rouge, La
    KJ4SLK

  4. The Potrerillos group Is made up of gringos as well as Panamanians. Trust me, they know where the gringos live. The thieves don’t need a map and most couldn’t search the Internet.

  5. This will be a short note to tell you what a terrific idea this is and to thank you for your commitment to help make our Panama living experience an even better and safer one.

    This Chiriqui Watch is an excellent example of ways in which we all can use technology in general and the internet in particular to enhance our lives here.

    Thank you Don Ray for this service. I am going to do all I can to encourage all law abiding people here, regardless of their nationality, to utilize this service.

  7. Pingback: Chiriquí Chatter » Still Tweaking Chiriquí Watch

  8. Don,

    I applaud your efforts and would like to join the rest of those who might take advantage of this to help establish a great “crimestoppers” type project.

    we live in bajo Boquete and are interested in establishing a block watch neighborhood program. I think with your ideas, we might just be able to help each other.

    Thank You,
    W Wolff

  9. My intention in setting up this site was to have it be used for all of Chiriqui. When an incedint is entered, it will reflect the location. The problem with too small a location is that some of the crooks move all around Chiriqui.

  10. Pingback: Chiriquí Chatter » ALERT ON FRAUDULENT REQUESTS FOR BAIL FUNDS

  11. I am writing this to inform people of Cerra Punta that people are stealing cooking gas tanks. Last night Eco Cabins lost 2 gas tanks. They cut off the locks and took them. Keep an eye out for people hanging out near our property as they may be looking for their next place to rob.

  13. Don,
    Excellent idea.
    I belong to a local neighborhood watch in Bella Vista, Los Algarrobos. I have been involved in notifying neighbors and being notified when something has occurred amiss.
    I am interested in joining the group and I am sure many of my friends will be also.
    Thanks again,
    Dick Kesterke

  14. Hi Dick. There is nothing to join. If you have something to report, just go to the site and submit it. It helps I’d you can use the Google map to point to the related location. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

  15. Pingback: Chiriquí Chatter » Tis The Season

  18. Don. You such good work! If I might add a suggestion! There a lot of ways to protect ones self and property but I found out that becoming well known with the locals is an excellent way to be protected. Go to the Jardin and play pool or Billards. Do not make out like you are rich as a matter of fact go in work clothes. Find a good friend or worker among the locals and he/she will pass the word around that you are liked and looked after.

  20. Pingback: Chiriqui Watch Outage | Chiriquí Chatter

  21. just been robbed of my money papers and camera and what i will miss most 3 memorysticks one I think was 4 gig , one of 12 gig and one realy big 32 gig bite one full of all the pictures I took the last 2 and a half months [ finca dracula , killing of a pig at a friends house , pictures of Panama city ,and some from the vet clinic in Volcan some files marked Marijke — camera can be replaced — if somebody sees a camera in a black bag being offered or finds memorysticks just let me know , I ll ask serial nrs to my husband as all the details of the camera back home in France — last pictures taken in Volcan on the road , just roadsigns … interior of a house with a lady standing in front …. 3 pictures of a local little boy in the panaderia in Volcan and some pictures in a bar in Paso Ancho by what I rekkon were very unexperienced young boys , almost certain not indigenous but panamanian … called the police who didnt show up , took a taxi to volcan to report , but only one man in the office who said they were sending somebody down tomorrow —oh well , got a few knocks on the head …. tried to kick one in his balls , bit nr 2 and tried to hurt nr 3 by trying to twist his fingers badly I didnt succeed unfortunately , would have loved to have broken some fingers …

    thanks for the help … got some money left , not much for the last 3 weeks of my stay , not sure how to get papers sorted , guess I ll have to ask the police , luckily have doubles of passport and flight tickets in my suitcases

    Marijke

  22. PS this happened in Paso Ancho where I help out in a school as a volunteer amonghst a lot of other little things

  23. Pingback: Robbery in Paso Ancho | Chiriquí Chatter

  24. Qu’est-ce une épreuve terrifiante!
    I am so sorry that you were a victim of this, Marijke. The robberies in the Chiriqui province seem to be the worse that I can remember hearing about. Chiriqui has never had the amount of tourists and foreign visitors before this and it seems the bad guys have followed.
    Praying for your safety, please be careful.
    jim and nena
    fort worth,tx

  25. I went to Bogaba and put complaint in today , allthough i have only some minor marks of the attack they want me to go tomorrow to the forensic doctor , not sure if it will help to get my camera back but who knows I might be lucky to get my work instrument back —because that is what my camera is for me , to collect money for uniforms , clothes shoes and school materials etc etc ….

  26. got the name of one of them and where he lives , but seems to me the police is not very fast in their investigation

  27. Mr. Taffein If you send me a privet massage through Don Ray I can and will run your suspect name and info through my Police Contacts who may be more willing to help you and make a few high level phone calls to get some better motivation your case. If I can be of any assistance feel free to follow up with me. PNW

  30. I am wondering if it is helpful to have a audio-video camera hooked up in the car (we own one; the cops in Las Vegas, Nevada are brutal and kill people, even disabled folk). Would that dissuade police misconduct there? I read somewhere that it was thought to do so, they don’t like being filmed during bad behavior. Also to have a camera system on wi-fi with batteries and battery backup, transmitting photos to e-mail — won’t stop anybody from stealing your stuff, but their photo might help. Of course, they could start to wear masks, and there really is no way to be completely safe in this world anyway! But still, not to be totally sitting ducks.

    It is disturbing that 3 males attacked 1 female, but here in Las Vegas, a gang was killing perfect strangers and robbing them (one a school teacher) and killed 5 people, mostly without much financial gain at all, before they were stopped. They were all young people, too.

    Anyway, I assume some of you are already using these things there, but thought I would chime in on a first post.

  32. Do you or anyone know if there is a car rental in Paso Canos/!Frontera
    ?
    Don’t think so, but would like to rent a car there. Coming from CR border.
    Thanks, in advance.

  34. When I was attacked in my home in Bugaba in December 2010 ( 6 stab wounds to the left lung) and left for dead , after I was knocked out from behind in my bed, it went to court and now the case is stopped due to lack of evidence I had to hire another attorney to tell me this ! . My Panamanian wife of ten days was present but unharmed. Of course, I am not with this woman anymore. Absolutely no important- relaavent communication with the attorney after I gave him power of attorney! I filed a denuncio against the attorney who was referred to me , HE was worthless, in my humble opinion! Nothing I gave to DI J was investigated, including the prime suspect! He is still out there ! We are targets here unless we get numbers of us to join up and make the problems very public! I want to talk to the new AMBASSADOR in person, in Panama!. I NEED HELP I now live in Panama City and am available at his convenience. The old staff at the embassy was a disgrace, I tried to get them involved, what a waste of taxpayers dollars to have an American services branch of the previous embassy staff. . There is a lot more to this story and it is all dirty. It will all be in the book I am writing about living three years in Panama. Be careful in Panama.

  35. I too am writing a book about Panama and am looking for information about the mother of Martin de Porres, Ana Velasquez. She is described as a freed slave from Panama. I wonder whether she was a cimarrone and also from what part of Africa she or her antecedents came.

  36. Don I was reading all the comments about the
    Chriquí Watch and noticed the person (marijke taffein) had memory sticks stolen and a camera. My I make suggestion for folks in the future if they have a pc or laptop make directory/Folder for each storage divice. (ie 4GB, 16gb, ect.) then copy all files from each stick into each folder. It will have to updated after each major change. this would give the owner a good copy of sticks are stolen, lost, damaged. it may not have 100% OF DATA but it would better than having no DATA AT ALL. Good luck

  37. Pingback: Chiriquí Watch – One more time. | Chiriquí Chatter

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