09 Mar Vecinos Vigilantes of Nueva Gorgona
By Jim Rizik
The Vecinos Vigilantes (Neighborhood Watch) program is a nation wide program run by the National Police of Panama. Many towns and cities participate in this program which the National Police participate. Each year a seminar is held in Panama City which goes over the functions of the police department and the Vecinos Vigilantes groups.
The Gorgona group was started in 2012 after a British couple was assaulted and robbed in their home at 4:30am by the fish market in Gorgona. We (Perry McMullin and I) felt that we needed to have a program to help educate the citizens and residents of the beach community about how to keep yourself, your house and your car safe and aware. One of our biggest challenges was to help build trust between the police department, the Panamanians and foreigners. We felt that we needed to work together to lower the crime rate.
The effort started with meetings with the police which resulted in us having monthly meetings at the Casa Comunal with different guest speakers and a question and answer period. Mostly foreigners attended these meetings with a few scattered Panamanians. Although this is still a problem, more and more locals have become involved in our mission. We also added safety meetings periodically which, at times, had a large turnout.
The accomplishments of our Vecinos Vigilantes group are many. We held a huge meeting midday of about 150 people at La Ruina Restaurant after a violent murder. The newspapers and senior officials of the police department attended. We held a Public Safety Appreciation Day where approximately 500 or more people attended with booths, 4 wheelers, bounce machine, arts and crafts for kids, games, K-9 and food. Many high ranking officers attended included the Mayor of Chame and the media. Another kids day was held the following year run by Jill Johanssen which was also a success.
Recent meetings have been focused on how to file a police report (Accusatory system) that was put on by the prosecutors office. We had a meeting on current gun laws at La Ruina. We started a program to put a number on your house so the police can easily identify your house in Gorgona. We have a Whatsapp emergency line for the beach area and email information. One of our biggest programs will be to provide the Chame office with a phone dedicated to giving the police better information on the crime committed and location of the crime. This will be done through Whatsapp. At Christmas time we helped the National Police distribute food baskets to the needy and a couple of years we had a Christmas party for the police department.
We continue to provide information to anyone that is interested including how not to become a victim, how to file a police report and criminal proceedings, criminal code in English, animal cruelty laws in English. The Vecino Vigilantes have had great support both moral and fiscal from 24 hour help line, Rotary Club, and CASA along with generous donations from individuals.
Just a little background about myself, I am a 24 year veteran of a municipality in Maryland. I came down here in January of 2012 and the day after arriving I met my wife, Aida. We have been together ever since.
To become involved in our group, please contact me at [email protected] and I can add you to the Vecinos Vigilantes Whatsapp text where we report crime and keep everyone advised of suspicious activity. They can join the email notification line by emailing me at [email protected]. The new Whatsapp line for the National Police emergency line and calls for service is 64527444. AND you can contact me on Whatsapp and by telephone at 6590-3308. We also hold periodic meetings where we usually have guest speakers.
A note from Coronado Concierge Panama: Crime happens in every community, which includes ares of Gorgona and Coronado. Vecinos Vilgilantes provides an important link between law enforcement and residents, especially to those who are still learning the legal processes. Contact Jim and read our blog, Is Panama Safe? (the general consensus is yes) for more information .