national

Tocumen crimes increase

Criminals have set their sights on the Tocumen area, say sources from the Policía Nacional (PN). As soon as members of the force leave the area, the criminals return. So said Santos Vega, who works as the administrator of Mañanita's bus terminal, where an assault took place yesterday.

The incident occurred at about 9 a.m., when two young men carrying handguns entered the terminal, roughed up the clerk and stole $462,000 in cash.

"I think the police are doing a good job. But these criminals never give up the chance to hit again," Vega said.

Carriers such as bus drivers, one of the groups most at risk, feel helpless and discouraged despite claims by authorities that they are doing everything they can to prevent crime. A wave of crime has ravaged the eastern part of Panama City this month.

Albis Calderón, vice president of the Cooperativa de Transporte San Cristóbal de Chepo, has reported that 24 de Diciembre, Nuevo Tocumen, Cabuya and the surrounding areas have been the scene of 16 robberies this month alone. Around 800 carriers travel through these areas every day.

"Only four of the 16 criminal attempts were thwarted, making a total of 12 successful attempts, resulting in six of our drivers being wounded by gunshots," Calderón said.

According to Calderón, the Cooperativa de Chepo is holding discussions with the PN to revive an old plan, called the Programa Transportistas Vigilantes, which mandates carriers to place sirens on their roofs in case of emergencies.