Panama Security Ministry Boosts Crime Prevention Strategy in Coclé, Urges Citizen Reporting

Panama's Ministry of Security is intensifying its crime prevention and surveillance strategies, particularly in the Coclé province, with a strong focus on leveraging citizen reports to guide law enforcement operations. Minister of Security Frank Ábrego announced the reinforcement of these measures during a meeting in Coclé, where provincial crime statistics and existing prevention programs, such as Alerta Amber for child protection, were reviewed.

Ábrego stressed the importance of public cooperation, urging citizens to report crimes to help authorities identify high-incidence areas. "Our intention is to call on the population to report crimes to generate heat maps that allow the National Police, Senan and Senafront to locate the areas where crimes are being registered and combat them more effectively," he stated.

Statistics from Coclé reveal eight homicides and one femicide so far this year. Domestic violence continues to be the most prevalent crime, with 740 cases reported, followed by personal injury incidents with approximately 401 reports. The ministry aims to use these crime "heat maps" to deploy resources more efficiently and combat criminal activity.

In addition to efforts in Coclé, the ministry is maintaining permanent operations against drug trafficking and gangs in the Colón province. Minister Ábrego plans to meet with Colón's mayor and district representatives to evaluate new actions aimed at tackling organized crime and reducing violence in that region.

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Our intention is to call on the population to report crimes to generate heat maps that allow the National Police, Senan and Senafront to locate the areas where crimes are being registered and combat them more effectively.