Almeyda denies lack of control

[NewsWhore]

Minister of the Interior and Police, Franklin Almeyda, has told reporters that the latest incidents in barrios supposedly under the control of the "Barrio Seguro" program did not reflect any reduction in the program's effectiveness. Gang shootouts over the weekend in the Santo Domingo barrio of Capotillo resulted in four deaths. In the minister's opinion, what happened in Capotillo could have happened anywhere, "even in Gazcue" (a middle class neighborhood). Almeyda told reporters that "this (the safe barrios program) is a process, and we are hoping that the local population and the media will cooperate." The minister emphasized that it was not possible to eradicate crime from one day to the next. Incensed, Almeyda pointed out that the person who had made critical comments in the media was one Abel Rojas, "known as a rock thrower and tire burner". Almeyda said that the Capotillo Development Council was taking an active part in the Safe Barrio program.

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