To give you an idea of why this is important to me and should be equally important to you - I'll give you a little bit of background information:
1) Atenas has always been known as a quiet and peaceful town with very little crime. In recent years, the over-all crime rate in Costa Rica has increased. This is largely due to the people involved in the flow of drugs from Columbia to the United States. The new highway (Route 27) has provided much easier access for those coming to Atenas. This also includes those involved in drugs.
2) Recently, some people in Atenas experienced something that we once thought was unthinkable to happen in Atenas - Armed home invasions!! These acts of violence were committed by those who had come from other places not far from Atenas. These guys had a system and knew what they were doing when engaging in these robberies. This could have kept going on if it had not been for one brave person who shot and killed one of them while in the act of robbing a neighbor. This put a stop to the problem, but it can always start again.
To give us an idea of what the subject project was all about, we were invited to a meeting held in October. There we were shown a slide presentation from the Police Department. What they are doing is this:
- They have obtained and are training several drug-sniffing dogs to be used in the area of the central park, as well as other places.
- They are purchasing 10 video surveillance cameras that will be placed in strategic locations around the city. These cameras will be monitored on a 24/7 basis at the police station.
- To make those who need to be notified that they are being watched - there will be several signs placed around the city where they can easily be seen. These signs will let anyone know that we have these cameras and are watching them. This move has proven to be a major deterrent in places they have been used.
The meeting turned out to be very informative and well worth going to attend. However, I was very disappointed in the lack of attendance. I didn't know if everyone got the invitation, or were just not interested.
As is usual, I figured they invited us there to get the money to start the project - I was dead wrong! - They are already in action, and have a budget for the project. However, they would appreciate any donation you can
make - no matter how large or small it is. Remember, the purpose of this project is to make Atenas the safest city in Costa Rica in which to live. This includes all of us.
For more details, please see below - I had to do this on JPEG, but if you want a PDF copy, please let me know and I will send it to you.
This was written by Pete because Stef was out of the country when this all started. If you have any questions, please let Pete know and he will help you.
As is usual, I figured they invited us there to get the money to start the project - I was dead wrong! - They are already in action, and have a budget for the project. However, they would appreciate any donation you can
make - no matter how large or small it is. Remember, the purpose of this project is to make Atenas the safest city in Costa Rica in which to live. This includes all of us.
For more details, please see below - I had to do this on JPEG, but if you want a PDF copy, please let me know and I will send it to you.
This was written by Pete because Stef was out of the country when this all started. If you have any questions, please let Pete know and he will help you.
