BRIEFS. Public safety

Emergency line giving callers a busy signal

Chances are if you want to reach the Policía Nacional (PN) through its free toll number, 104, you aren’t going to get through.

PN spokeswoman Nori Vega corroborated the problems the department is having with its phone system, saying "It is due to misuse."

She said that many people call 104 to reach the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Panamá (CBP) and other institutions, such as the Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil. Both agencies have their own numbers.

The massive amount of calls has caused problems, and now many calls aren’t getting through. Police said the problem won’t be solved until fewer people use the number.