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.