I have been meaning to post the following photo for some time.

To reduce crime in the night hours, the shopping center, in front of Super Market Rey, has closed off the back parking area to prevent it from being used by thieves to scout potential victims. The back area is now closed for parking from 9:30 PM until 9:30 AM.

Home Invasion

I mentioned the other day about another home invasion in David. I mentioned that the fellow at the hospital information desk did not know the whereabouts of the individual I was asking about other than knowing he had been in the emergency area.

I know the individual for many years and I wrote him. I am including his replay.

Hi Don Ray, 

I spent from 3 AM Friday until 7 AM Sat. all in the Emergency Room. I have 4 cracked (They say broken) ribs. They wanted to hold me overnight to make sure there was no internal bleeding and that I had not punctured a lung. The guy had my ankles bound. He pushed me and I fell against the dining room table. I am okay as long as I am standing or lying down. It is the getting up or getting down that hurts.

I made a report at the police office before I went to the hospital. A pair of officers from DGI came to interview me. Two other pair of officers came to visit too. I have the case number and email address and phone of the guy who did the translating. The one good thing that happen is the bad guys did not take my passport

My landlord lady took great care She took me there and checked me out. She  paid the hospital bill. She even paid the pain medication. The landlord even had the handyman change out my locks on Sunday. We think some how they had a key. There was no forced entry.

The emotional damage is a bit hard to handle.

My friends around here are watching after me. It will just take 2-3 months for the ribs to heal at my age. I had a cracked rib before years ago.

I am doing okay. Thanks for asking.

The following was distributed by Boquete News and was a member alert from Rodney Direct. Home invasions are continuing in Chiriquí.

Member Alert

Jan. 8, 2016

To: Released with permission to News Boquete

We have an early, unconfirmed but authoritative report on the shooting of Richard Moore in his home in upper Volcancito on Wednesday morning:

At approximately 10:30 in the morning on Wednesday, January 6, Richard Moore was preparing to take a shower when he heard noises on his terrace. His wife was away at a class, and he was alone in the house. He went into the living room (naked) and saw 3 black men on his terrace…with a gun. He turned to run away and they shot 9 times, hitting him once in the back shoulder and once in his ankle. They entered the house and demanded he open his safe, which he did. They took the contents of the safe and other items such as Kindles and laptops. They then tied him up and left the house. His wife returned to find him tied up on the floor and bleeding. He underwent surgery on Thursday for 6 1/2 hours to repair his ankle. A $5,000 deposit was demanded by Chiriqui Hospital before they would admit him. The police responded and report there is lots of evidence, including fingerprints.
We wish Richard a speedy recovery and we will keep you up to date as new information becomes available.

Rodny

www.RodnyDirect.com
Any questions? info@rodnydirect.com

There was a meeting today at the BCP in Boquete. It included a presentation by Rodolfo Aguilera (The Minister of Security for Panama) and was attended by Emigdio Walker Vasquez (Mayor of Boquete) and Juan Arauz (The Boquete police Chief).

For a synopsis of the meeting, click HERE.

I can see that some of the things that were presented at the last Warden’s meeting at the U.S. Embassy are being implemented.

It was mentioned, in today’s presentation, that some of the programs were were being used in New York, and if I remember right, our presentation at the Embassy was given by an ex-member to the New York police, who was working with Panama officials.

It is also important to note that today’s meeting followed President Varela’s meeting in David on related topics yesterday.

This is a beginning. Today there is talk. With tomorrow, I hope there will be more action. Some actions have already been taken with measured results.

From looking at the Boquete presentation and reading about yesterday’s meeting, I see a lot was aimed at drug trafficking. In the area of gangs it appears that they are working to offer gang members other opportunities and enticing them to leave.

What I didn’t see was an acknowledgment that crimes by minors need appropriate punishment.

I didn’t attend the meeting and that may have been covered.

For those new to Panama, a PUSH is a place known as a “Love Hotel” or BYOB (Bring your own broad or boy). It sometimes is used as a way to have a little privacy for couples living with parents.

It is also used by men or women sharing time with someone other than their significant other.

Kris wrote a post on a Push Button on her blog, If you want to see inside.

Yesterday, it appears that three people posed as clients to gain entrance to the Beverly Hills Garden establishment and robbed clients and staff for more then $1,500.

As you can see, crime is not just hitting the residences.

Amazing what news I get by subscribing to the Chiriquí Noticias Twitter.

The following was posted on Boquete News on FaceBook. This was the October 9th Security meeting in Potrerillos.

As the original post said, “Thank you — TV Chiriqui, Phil McGuigan and Rodny Fabio Moreno Fuentes/ Rodny Direct”.

I received a request to post the following.

Hi Don,
Can you please post this? Thanks, Linda

I have an idea I want to share with you, the community. We are ALL sick and tired of crime in Chiriqui; I’d like to sit back and do nothing, but I feel it is OUR – that is – ALL OF OUR – duty to work together and try to make positive changes we can live with. This is our chosen home.

We have the flea market every first Sunday of each month, and a secondary new one on the third Saturday of the month. The Sunday market attracts about 70 to 80 vendors and maybe around 500 people come through the market in the course of three hours (a good combination of Panamanians and gringos). Here’s my idea – we’ll set up a table, invite the mayors, Athena, police, media, and public. I see a questionnaire for both Panamanians and Expats asking for input about how to treat our maleantes – like a vote – to present to the powers that be. And this should NOT be the only anti crime rally – just another in series. Chiriqui Storage is centrally located, attracts crowds from David, Dolega, Potrerillos and Boquete, so why not go with the venue and use this opportunity?

I cannot sit and keep watching; I need to do, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP!! I need volunteers to help organize this. If you think this is a good idea please email me at chiriquistorage@gmail.com for your suggestions and if you want to be a part of this. OR if you have a BETTER idea!! As Dianne said to me we need to keep the ball rolling.

Sincerely,

Linda Pedersen — I cannot do this alone!