The National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) introduced the Addendum 4 to the specifications of the tender for the sale of 51% of the shares of the electricity distribution companies, which provides an investment plan of $25.3 million, to extend the energy service to the province of Darien. (more)

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In a statement from the Rural Electrification Office (ERO), reported the company CELMEC SA, is carrying out the project to install a power transformer substation of 34.5/13.8 MVA KV l0ll2.5, replacing neutral conductors and landing distribution lines of existing processing centers. (more)

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Anti-Explosive Units of the National Police inspect the Rommel Fernández stadium and around the area, looking for anything suspicious, to ensure the safety of players and fans, hours before the game between Panama and Mexico. (more)

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Deputy Minister of Housing, Javier Baruco, today said the entity is still studying options to replace the building which housed 57 families and was destroyed in a fire in El Chorrillo. (more)

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The Director of the blood bank at the Children's Hospital, Arida Aleman, today urged all residents to go and donate blood. (more)

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On Saturday June 15 the Harpy Eagle named Panama will arrive in our country at 11:20 a.m., under strict security measures. (more)

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Members of the National Nurses Association of Panama (ANEP) will make stoppages or demands against the Social Security Fund (CSS). (more)

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The Mi Bus Company, in charge of the transport system in the city, announced, after prior approval of the Transit Authority, the route of Ancon - Avenida B has been modified. (more)

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The general manager of the National Highway Company (ENA), Rigoberto Effio, released today, Friday 7 June 2013, the last survey conducted in May to users which revealed a 88% level of satisfaction in the Corredor Norte. (more)

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Mexico's ambassador, Maria Gabriela Alejandra Bologna Zubikarai, is in panama, visiting the soccer team of his country, before the game scheduled for tonight. (more)

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Over 3,000 residences had their water service cut in Chirqui by the Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) during the first five months of this year. (more)

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By Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com - You have probably heard by now there was another (second) violent assault and robbery at the Ranchos Los Toros restaurant in San Carlos. In response, the community organized another meeting to address issues of crime and violence, and the need for a response by the Panamanian government. I received the following this morning via email from someone who attended the meeting;

"I attending a meeting at the Ranchos las Toros restaurant held to address the rising crime in the greater Coronado community. It was stressed that this group wants to support the local police and work to supplement their resources by placing pressure on government officials. With the turn out tonight, I believe it definitely has the ear of the government.

If I understood correctly, attendees included the Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Commissioner of Tourist Police, Assistant District Attorney from the Attorney General’s Office, The Mayor of San Carlos, multiple high level police and legal personnel.

Other speakers included Roberto Chocolate of www.retirementdetective.com, a representative from the Gorgona Vigilantes Group, Mark from the Boquette crime stoppers group, and a detective from that group that has been investigating the recent Ranchos las Toros robbery. The event was covered by the press including a TV camera crew.

They pointed out that the Ministry of Tourism spent $50M to promote the safety of Panama; they do not want to jeopardize that investment.

The group is developing a database of crimes to present to officials accurate figures of the crime in the area. Reporting a crime was covered and emphasized that if it isn’t reported, it makes the area crime appear less than it is and cannot be solved. Anyone that has been the victim of a crime is encouraged to contact Roberto Chocolate to add to the statistics collected.

Proof that the government is taking this seriously was the announcement of two new Designated Prosecutors that will be in San Carlos and Chame to expedite search warrants and local investigations. Many of the police are now learning English. Three more police cars, totaling six, and some of the new police academy graduates will be assigned to San Carlos. It was pointed out that San Carlos isn’t a sleepy fishing village anymore; it’s another Coronado, surrounded by many expensive resorts and gated developments.

Another project the group hopes of achieve is a dispatch service using a database of local citizens. If you need help, you call the dispatcher and say you are number XXX and need the police/ambulance/fire department. The dispatcher notifies the proper authorities giving them directions to your house so you aren’t struggling to explain in Spanish. This service was started in Boquettte and with other efforts of that group, they reported the crime rate decreased 90%.

The group also has a Reward and Investigation Fund (RIF) that assists police in solving crimes leading to the prosecution of those criminals. A wanted poster with a reward still is an effective tool in fighting crime. They can also file civil lawsuits against the criminals which give them access to all of the reports and court documents, and freezes the assets of the criminals. All these projects require capital and donations can be given through Roberto Chocolate listed above."

Editor's Comment: Hopefully the government of Panama and the National Police, in conjunction with the prosecutors of the Public Ministry, will get serious about both preventing crime, and catching those who have targeted the members of the English speaking expatriate community in Panama. It's good to see the residents of these areas banding together, sharing ideas, and comparing experiences, and working towards a long term strategic solution. I would encourage the members of these communities to keep working, and strengthening their bonds, ties, and contacts with the Panamanian authorities - because that's where the real solution lies. It all comes down to assets (people, cars, radios) and resources (money) the government of Panama can use - if they choose to - in order to improve security and reduce crime.

My observation upon reading the results of this meeting is that it sounds a whole lot like the last meeting. Lots of people were there. The government made promises, but nothing really tangible actually happened, and the second attack against the Rancho Los Toros was not prevented. Will the third attack be prevented? Will those responsible be caught and brought to justice? That remains to be seen. There's always hope.

I would also like to make a recommendation. As this process moves forward, the members of the English speaking community of expatriates should ignore the inevitable crazed rantings of the most vocal "Don Winner hater" (whose name and website I refuse to mention). He always responds with illogical, insane, and emotionally charged vitriol whenever the community comes together in a positive fashion, in an attempt to improve personal security and fight crime. His father committed suicide with a shotgun when he was a child, so he describes anyone who recommends using a firearm for home defense as a "gun nut." That same idiot said I was supposedly selling "stun guns" or some other such nonsense at the last meeting. He's simply crazy - and his agenda takes precedence over everything else. Just ignore him and go about the important business of improving your levels of personal security, working within the legal framework provided by the law, in conjunction with local law enforcement and government personnel. Best of luck to you all.

Copyright 2013 Panama-Guide.com.

The National Federation of Public Officials (FENASEP) reported on Friday that 59 officials from the Transit Authority and Land Transportation (ATTT) were dismissed for political retaliation. (more)

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The Bill 551, on adoption, which was approved yesterday during third reading by the National Assembly, excludes couples of the same sex for the eligibility of adopting children, as confirmed by Gloria Lozano de Diaz, director of the National Secretariat of Children, Youth and Family. (more)

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For the alleged crime of pedophilia and arms trafficking, the police arrested the American David Francis Aitken on Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro. (more)

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Maribel Jaén, secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, asked the President of Panama, Ricardo Martinelli, to sign the Electoral Ethics Pact. (more)

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Customs officials from the Tocumen International Airport in Panama seized 170,346 dollars in less than 24 hours from a Panamanian and an Ecuadorian who arrived at the airport separately, according to the National Customs Authority (ANA). (more)

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On Thursday, June 6, the young wing of the Popular Party (PP) requested Patria Portugal, the Ombudsman, to resign from her position after the scandal in the entity due to the cost overrun on multiple purchases.

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The former magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal (TE), Gerardo Solis, presented on Wednesday the necessary documents before the Electoral Tribunal to be an independent candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. (more)

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Counternarcotics units of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) seized 259 packages of suspected cocaine in the false bottom of a vehicle. (more)

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Panama NG Power, S.A. finally emerged victorious in the public tender and will now generate gas-based power in the country. (more)

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The Prosecutor's Office initiated the investigation against a Costa Rican citizen and two Panamanians, for trafficking nine Asians who entered through Guabito Panama, Bocas del Toro. (more)

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Over $66 million owed in thirteenth-month bonuses to 87,457 employees who worked in the Government between December 1989 and August 1991 will start being paid by 2015. (more)

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Panama's national team captain, Felipe Baloy, said the important thing for the team will be to avoid making mistakes against Mexico tomorrow in the World Cup qualifying game. (more)

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Police last night collected more evidence in the home of Á�lvaro Samudio, as part of their investigation in the December murder of college student, Aira Isabel Guadalupe Guerra. (more)

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The Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) reported there won’t be water available in Betania and surrounding areas on Saturday, June 8. (more)

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A contractor working on Vía Israel broke a 16 inch water pipe, infront of the MultiPlaza Mall. (more)

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From 5:00 pm tomorrow, Friday 7 June 2013, four traffic lights will be disabled in different areas of the city to ease traffic. (more)

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The increase in the bed of the Río Grande and the possibility of its overflow has motivated researchers of the El Caño Archaeological Park in Natá, in the province of Coclé, to suspend construction on the site until the water goes down to a safe level. (more)

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A small fire was reported at the headquarters of the DIJ in Ancon, in the same place where the Auxiliary Fiscal Office is located. (more)

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