Aguinaldo And Scams Go Hand In Hand
November 20th, 2009 | by admin |In the coming weeks the Aguinaldo - year end bonus - is set to hit the streets. And while most are planning how to spend their Aguinaldo, another group are working out their scams.
Janina del Vecchio, the ministra de Seguridad Pública, in a press conference said that the Fuerza Pública patrols will be beefed up for the season, with some 11.500 officers assigned to detail.
The ministra said the police operation is divided in three groups: Operación Aguinaldo, Bus Seguro y Candado (operation Aguinaldo, safe bus and lock).
The director of the Fuerza Pública, Erick Lacayo, said the operation, which has already commenced, will continue until January 9, 2010. The director said the police presence will be all over the country, with particular attention to the capital of each province.
“This is a time for family”, said Del Vecchio.
The ministra said she want to let Costa Ricans know that they can enjoy the holiday in peace, with police in small towns, villages and communities all over the country, citing the excellent results of the program in the downtown San José districts of Catedral, Merced, Carmen and Hospital.
The Bus Seguro operation will see, according to the ministra, uniformed police officials on buses, while the Candado program is directed at control of private vehicle inspections.
Authorities are asking the public co-operation during the season to be on the lookout for scams and becoming victims of an assault by not carrying large amounts of cash, using plastic instead.
Keep on eye on credit and debit cards at all times when making purchases and to report any suspicious activity to the 911 service.
Both Del Vecchio and Lacayo said that any citizen has the right to detain a suspicious person while waiting for police to arrive on the scene.
