More Police Will Ensure A Safe Christmas for Downtown Shoppers
The Municipality of San José is serious about keeping the streets safe for Christmas. More than 300 Municipal police will accompany the 500 Fuerza Pública officers in patrolling Avenida Segunda and other pedestrian walkways in downtown San José.

In addition to the 800 uniformed police officers, undercover and plain clothes police will also be walking the streets to detect and stop pickpockets that are traditional during the holiday season. Surveillance cameras placed in "key" spots will also help police keep an eye on things.

Some companies will begin paying the "aguinaldo" - the Christmas bonus today along with the regular pay. Government employees will get their aguinaldo on December 6. The law requires all employers to pay their employees the aguinaldo, an amount equal to one month's pay, before December 20.

During the month of December the Festival de la Luz (light festival), the Tope, the Carnival and the "Avenidazo" are all part of the holiday festivities and traditions.

For the third year in a row the Municipality of San José is allowing the Avenidazo, the throwing of confetti, beginning December 8. For several years, Municipal officials had banned the tradition. For this year, San José mayor, Johnny Araya, says they have bought special cleaning equipment to keep the streets and sidewalks clean.

The area with the greatest incidents of crimes and focus of more police patrols will be La Plaze de la Cultura, Plaza de la Democracia, La Soledad, las Garantías Sociales, the boulevard and parks like Morzan and the area around banks and automated teller machines.

Police on foot, motorcycles, bicycles and autos will all join in the patrols. Police officials in the downtown area says the December is the month that criminals are most active, especially purse snatchings, pick pocketing and other crimes of opportunity.

One way to avoid being a victim of crime this December is to watch your valulables, don't walk around with large amounts of cash, make more use of debit cards and be wary of distractions or those who are more than willing to offer assistance.