Security Minister Orders
Permanent Police Patrol
Of Rotondas
Facing an onslaught of
assaults by the "rompeventanas"
(window breakers) in the
rotondas of the
Circunvalación in San
José, the ministra de
Seguridad Pública,
Janina del Vecchio, has
ordered a permanent
police presence at each
of the rotondas along
the route.
The rompeventanas take
advantage of vehicles
stuck in traffic for a
quick blow to the
passenger side window
and fleeing with the
contents on the
passenger seat. Drivers
are defenseless against
this type of attack.
The rise of this type of
crime led to the
decision by the minister
due to the incidents
reported. "We have to
maintain a constant
vigil", said Del Vecchio.
According to figures
released by the Fuerza
Pública (police) they
have captured so far
this year 9 individuals
responsible for the
crimes. Last year police
say they captured 21.
The problem came to a
head when last December
15, the head of the
Partido Liberación
Nacional (PLN) in the
Legislative Assembly,
Mayi Antillón, became a
victim of the
rompeventanas.
Police have identified
17 points along the
Circunvalación that
stretches from La Uruca,
running on the south
side of San José to
Calle Blancos, that are
prone to attacks. The
most common areas of
attacks has been the
rotondas.
Police add that the
rompeventanas have begun
to migrate to other
areas like in front of
the motel Eden in Tibás
and in San Antonion de
Belén.
Although the objective
is to maintain a 24 hour
police presence, Del
Vecchio admitted that
resources do not allow a
presence at all rotondas
at all times and that
the major presence will
be during morning and
afternoon rush hours.
However, the Guadalupe
intersection is one that
will at least have a
patrol car stationed at
all times.
To avoid being a victim
of the rompeventanas,
police say to keep the
passenger seat empty of
any valuables or items
that could make the
vehicle a target.
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