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Paraguay residents demand action on rising insecurity from police director
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Crime & Justice

Paraguay residents demand action on rising insecurity from police director

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents of Atinguy settlement in Itapúa, Paraguay, met with the local police director to demand increased security measures.
  • The community has experienced a series of thefts over several months, with some homes burglarized multiple times.
  • Police director Hilario Godoy committed to replacing local police personnel and improving resources, including a patrol car and increased agent numbers.

Residents of the Atinguy settlement in Itapúa, Paraguay, have voiced their frustration and helplessness over a persistent wave of insecurity, meeting with the Director of the National Police in Itapúa, Commissioner Hilario Godoy. The community, home to approximately 600 families, has been plagued by frequent thefts for months, with some residences reportedly being targeted more than five times.

The meeting was held this afternoon in the sports center of the Atinguy settlement of San Cosme y Damián.

— Article TextSetting the scene for the meeting between residents and police.

During the meeting held at the Atinguy settlement's sports facility, residents detailed the significant financial losses and distress caused by the ongoing burglaries. They expressed dissatisfaction with the police's response, highlighting a perceived lack of effectiveness in solving the cases. The community is calling for more than just increased patrols; they are requesting better equipment for officers, a functional patrol vehicle, and a larger contingent of police agents.

They pointed out that the thefts cause them significant harm and that, in some cases, criminals entered the same home more than five times.

— Article TextDescribing the severity and frequency of the thefts experienced by residents.

Furthermore, the residents specifically requested a greater presence of the Tactical Lince Group, a specialized police unit, to help restore peace to the area. Commissioner Godoy acknowledged the residents' concerns, admitting that he had to travel to the community to hear their grievances firsthand. He recognized that a breakdown in trust between the community and local law enforcement could hinder effective policing.

Commissioner Godoy noted that, unfortunately, he had to travel to the community to hear the residents' complaints firsthand.

— Article TextThe police director acknowledging the need to address community concerns directly.

In response to the community's demands, Commissioner Godoy pledged to initiate a complete rotation of the police officers assigned to the area. He also committed to reinforcing the local police force with additional personnel and to ensuring the patrol vehicle is repaired and operational. These measures aim to provide the necessary tools for agents to guarantee enhanced security for the residents of Atinguy.

He indicated that some neighbors requested the change of police officers assigned to the area, a measure he considered viable, stating that when a commissioner no longer has the confidence of the citizens, it is difficult to perform his duties effectively.

— Article TextCommissioner Godoy discussing the possibility of rotating local police staff.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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