Police Stations
In The Northern
Zone Closed Due
To Poor Sanitary
Conditions
The battle
against drug
trafficking and
the entry of
illegals into
Costa Rica is
one that is
being lost by
police in the
northern part of
the country,
causing concern
of the
residents, who
are facing
increased crime
activity in
their area.
At the root of
the problem is
the lack of
money to
maintain the
police stations
in the remote
areas, many
being closed by
order of the
Ministerio de
Salud (Health
Ministry) for
lack of sanitary
conditions for
the officials
and visitors.
The areas of Los
Chiles is
hotspot for
criminal
activity, as
drugs and
illegals, take
advantage of the
situation.
Last week alone
a vehicle
carrying
us$660.000 was
detained by a
police spotcheck.
Residents say
this is only one
of many that get
through because
of the lack of
proper police
controls.
The cash haul
came as no
surprise to the
residents of Los
Chiles, the main
border point for
illegal activity
all due to lack
of police.
The ministerio
de Salud has
said that the
police stations
closed did not
meet the minimum
sanitary
conditions.
Police stations
at Las Delicias
and Medio Queso
are examples of
poor conditions
the police in
the area have to
work with.
Cuatro Equinas
is another
closed police
station. La
Troya, closed.
All for the same
reasons.
There is no
fresh water,
drinking water
is taken from a
nearby well.
According to the
director of the
Fuerza Pública,
Erick Lacaya,
although some
stations are
closed, police
personnel are
being redirected
and working out
of other
stations that
continue open.
However, that
implies greater
travel times for
patrols and
responses, which
encounters
another problem,
one of having
sufficient funds
to fuel the
patrol vehicles.
It is not
uncommon for
police operating
spot checks on
the main routes
in the area to
ask for rides to
get from one
spot check to
the other or the
nearest bus stop
to get to and
from work.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
