BRIEFS: Public safety

Juvenile crime remains a problem

Despite measures put in place by the government to crack down on crimes committed by juveniles, the number of these incidents has actually risen in recent months.

According to figures provided by the Attorney General's Office, between September 2007 and August 2008, the Public Prosecutor's Office dealt with 3,815 cases involving juveniles.

That is significantly more than the total of number of cases involving juveniles in the previous 24 months, when they were involved in about 2,500 cases.

Officials are also concerned that crimes involving juveniles are growing increasingly more violent. It is not uncommon to find them involved in murders and armed robberies.

Authorities say that one of the causes of the country's growing crime problem is the increase in gang activity, which usually involves juveniles.

The government established a curfew for juveniles in Panama City last year in an attempt to curb criminal activities, but, at least so far, that measure has not been effective. Calls have also been made to stiffen the penalties facing juveniles convicted of committing violent crimes.