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The National Police is concerned about the recruitment and participation of minors in targeted homicides, training in the use of firearms and the commission of crimes by criminal organizations, revealed Holguer Cortez, deputy chief of the Special Zone 1 command.
At the end of 2022, in the province of Esmeraldas, 511 homicides were recorded, mostly linked to criminal violence.
Given this scenario, Cortez urged the Ministries of Education, Economic and Social Inclusion and authorities in general to prioritize attention to children and young people with education and occupational opportunities to avoid their participation in drug use and crimes.
Sectors such as La Guacharaca, 20 de Noviembre, Las Américas, Aire Libre, 26 de Junio, El Coral, La Primavera, El Quilombo, El Coquito, El Embudo, neighborhoods on the banks of the Esmeraldas River and Luis Vargas Torres Island have been mapped by the police. In these spaces, criminal organizations have their centers of illegal operations, according to authorities.
In Esmeraldas, violent deaths decreased, but there is concern about a rebound in cantons such as Quinindé
Among the last murders of 2022 was the case of the taxi driver Johan Gutiérrez Palacios. The victim was attacked inside his vehicle, while transporting passengers on the night of December 24. The suspect in the attack, who was driving a motorcycle, ended up captured.
Santiago Viteri, chief of the Esmeraldas police district, said that the detainee was a teenager and would be involved in other violent deaths such as hitmen. The presence of minors involved in crimes has been observed in this province, as well as in others in the country.
Between January and December 28, some 162 of the 597 people buried in the Esmeraldas municipal cemetery were related to murders, explained administrator Teresa Quiñónez. They were buried on May 20, July 21, September 26 and on October 19 linked to the same issue.
Throughout the previous year, in Esmeraldas the Government declared two states of exception that included a curfew, in order to neutralize crimes in this coastal province on the northern border.
Esmeraldas closes the first month of the state of emergency with 39 homicides, three kidnappings and two attacks; Police indicate that violent deaths were reduced by 10%
In the periods that these measures were extended, homicides in Esmeraldas decreased. For example, from 65 cases in September it dropped to 35 in December, Cortez revealed.
Sociologist’s vision
In turn, the sociologist Nelson Valencia considered that the sectional candidates should have among their plans to seek improvements in services and basic infrastructure, sports venues, occupational workshops and improve the quality of education.
In addition, he suggested that talks be added to parents about gender violence, unplanned pregnancies, alcohol consumption, drugs, among others.
police operations
Police interventions in the different sectors added more seizures. In 59,799 operations, 2,864 people were arrested for various reasons, 774 firearms and 1,882 bladed weapons were seized, and 43 dismantled gangs were disbanded.
Likewise, 99 vehicles and 529 motorcycles reported as stolen were recovered and 6,405,143.00 grams of illegal substances and 17,106 gallons of hydrocarbon derivatives were seized, according to a 2022 police productivity report.
Meanwhile, the Community Police integrated 87 children and adolescents from different sectors of the Esmeraldas canton, with the plan for the recovery of public spaces, training, recreational activities, visits to public institutions and social work, in order to keep them away from groups criminal.
Currently there are 150, but they require uniforms and equipment for their practices or activities, said Pedro Bone, police officer in charge of this youth outreach project.
arrested with explosives
The Quinindé police district reported the apprehension of a citizen in the La Aldea sector, for the alleged crime of possession of explosives, who upon noticing the police presence tried to flee.
As evidence, 5 blocks of an explosive device were found, 1 lemon-type grenade, without their respective security and personal communication radio, 1 camouflage type jacket for police use and 1 black ski mask. These evidences together with the person apprehended, are under the orders of the competent authority, this Wednesday the 4th. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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