MinJust and the KPA chief Adolfo Richardson hosted a recent event at the Marriott Ballroom in which they showed a well prepared presentation to a general forum and a special repeat performance in a shorter format to the media.
Apparently KPA conducts regular meetings with its partners, ATIA, AHATA, and shares information about its activities with the general public via FB: https://www.facebook.com/korpspolitiearuba/?fref=ts
You should visit the page, because it contains reports about their activities, for example on May 23rd, they conducted an session with senior citizens in Noord, and posted five images of a congenial powwow with the elderly. Then they posted 219 pictures of a two-day National Traffic Control, it looked like two all-nighters, in which they stopped and controlled a great number of vehicles, 300 on Friday, 400 on Saturday, and arrested a number of people, 12 on Friday, and 8 on Saturday, including one woman.
One unlucky and rushed driver unintentionally rear-ended a police car; I imagine he was among those arrested. Anyway, the control looked professional and intense, and will certainly discouraged people from driving without a license, 1,080 cases in 2015, and/or driving under the influence, 324 cases in 2015. The FB images depict KPA opening car trunks, inspecting papers, conducting breath alcohol tests and looking sharp, well equipped and well groomed!
The official report cites they also handed out a number of boots and revoked some driving licenses. We like it like that; it makes us all feel secure.
At the gathering the police described a number of their new initiatives among them the creation of special task forces for what they called ‘high impact crimes;’ they reported increased preventive measures and the tweaking of policies; more surveillance in conjunction of other entities such as the military and the marines. They have been paying attention to the application of laws and policies, they said, and worked closely with newly formed Community Watches to involve the residents of this island in active crime prevention. This new phenomenon of Community Watches received compliments from KPA. They also revealed that an ambitious camera project is wrapping up soon, you already see them at intersections, and that a rapid response team has been put in place to deal among others with any local drug issue. Other initiatives include the K9 patrols in tourist areas, combined with bike patrols, and a joint initiative of Coastal Surveillance. The KPA reported that they have been targeting groups such as school kids and seniors and are making rounds in schools and community centers to exchange views with the public and to connect with their clients young and old. They have also revamped their intelligence department, so that information comes in on a regular basis.
The MinJust was pleased to report a significant reduction in burglaries, 33% less in 2015, thanks to more arrests, better intelligence and more community involvement and a significant reduction of car thefts and car break ins, 11% less in 2015, thanks to more arrests, joint operations with other entities, and intelligence-led investigations. He also wanted his public to remember that the number of solved cases is important, for example that fact that from among 22 robberies since January 2016, 16 were completely solved, which is 72% success, one of the highest percentages in the region.
The MinJust did point out that he did not think there was a need to close the border with Venezuela as yet, because crime statistics show that while some Venezuelans are involved, they are supported by the locals, and the KPA is monitoring the situation and watching the statistics for trends and patterns and will react if the situation calls for it.
Wow, that was a mouthful. Well done minister! Your public wants to hear from you. While the MinTour over-communicates, you under-communicate, so the encounter at the Marriott Ballroom was a step in the right direction.
