12.6% Reduction in Violent Crimes

[Ecuajey]

12.6% reduction in violent crimes reported

Friday, March 28th, 2003.

By Proviana Colon Diaz of WOW News

A 12.6% reduction in violent crimes, known as Type 1 by police, has occurred in the first three months of 2003 when compared with the same period last year.

However, as of March 15, a dozen more killings have occurred than at the same time last year, Police Superintendent Victor Rivera said Wednesday.

Rivera, like all superintendents before him, argued that the dozen killings were all drug related. He added that in all cases the killing occurred following the impact of police on a drug point.

”Once a drug point is broken up, a chain reaction occurs that unfortunately sometimes takes the most violent form, that of a slaying,” Rivera said.

The chief of police added that killing is not the only form of violent crime and that rape, assault, car theft, robbery, and breaking and entering are also considered Type 1 crimes. It is in those areas that crime reduction has occurred.

Gov. Sila Calderon, prior to promoting 32 high ranking police officers, announced the reduction in crime with much pride.

“I am pleased to inform you that as of March 15, Type 1 crimes were reduced by 12.6%, meaning 2,476 fewer crimes were reported compared with the same time last year,” Calderon said.

The governor then affirmed that under her administration, statistics are not manipulated and accused the previous administration of Gov. Pedro Rossello of doing so.

Calderon, who returned to the tradition, abandoned by Rossello, of approving all promotions within the Police Department from commander on, personally greeted the 31 men and one woman who Wednesday were promoted to the posts of commander, inspector, lieutenant colonel, and colonel.

Calderon, who once referred to the police organization as a fossil and caused indignation among the force, lauded Wednesday the qualities of the officers being promoted.

Both Rivera and Calderon dismissed allegations that the promotions were based on political references as police sources had argued.

Rivera failed to include Deputy Superintendent in Criminal Investigations Lt. Col. Jose Caldero in the group being promoted but said Calderon was currently evaluating his case.