Fiesta and Reality
Posted by Lee on January 5, 2010
2010 the beginning of new decade started with a two day fiesta in Alto Jaramillo. Lots of food, music until three in the morning and cockfights. I am not a big fan of cock fights but in Panama they are a normal event.
Magda is preparing empanadas while others made Sancocho, a traditional chicken soup.
Still others prepared the ring for the cock fights which were the high point of the evening for many people.
For me the evening was for dancing, great fun and great exercise too.
Within a few days reality set in again. On Jaramillo we had a meeting of a new neighborhood watch group. This is not something I would have believed a possibility three years ago.
The Police came, the community came and we listened. Crime has become a problem in Boquete. After a long pause the Christmas season saw an increase in break-ins and now violence. Violence is new to us here in Boquete.
Our community is literally up in arms and has come together to protect each other. It is easy to get a gun and license in Panama and it is only a matter of time before someone is shot . The way is obvious, the world economy is in shambles, where there was full employment there are now hungry people and a concentration of affluence. The perfect mix for crime.
The police provided some advice. Alarms, obvious caution closing doors and windows and above all contacting them in the event of problems or even suspicions. The problem is everyplace and they are trying but emphasized the need for vigilance and reporting. It was recommended that people list items of value, list serial numbers and if possible take photographs.
So now after the party is over the reality that the rest of the world is catching up to paradise is setting in.
Comments
4 Responses to “Fiesta and Reality”Leave a comment, and if you'd like your own picture to show up next to your comments, go get a gravatar!
Mr.Zelter,
I think you all are doing the right thing. The situation can only get better. It is very disturbing to hear that the sleepy village of Boquete has turned into a high crime district.
I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but all the crime watch commities in the world don’t help like people are used to in the states. Anyone can accuse you of stealing, file a report with the police, and believe it or not the police can show up at your home(confiscate the property) wether you have receipts/witness’es that the property is yours or not. And then hope when it goes to court you get your things back and clear your name. The famous saying “innocent until proven guilty” doesnt apply in Boquete. The best crime watch tip is… dont let anyone in your home to see what you have, that way there, they cant run an inventory for someone else or file a claim that those items belong to them and not you. And for you to try to prove that those things are yours it is costly and time consuming. Believe me, i speak from experience. It took 1 year and alot of money to prove false accusations and we never did recover our belongings. Sad but true my friends.
We provide computer tracking & recovery and data backup, as well as other services here in Boquete. We’re giving a seminar tomorrow, Friday the 15th at the Fundadores Hotel at 10:00 AM to discuss this and home security assessment. Come on down!
honestly if you people stand for this rubbih then your silly you should be getting to gether to kill the problm gt a big horn in your area each person has a panic button so if theres a problem hit it and everyone knows