Lawmakers express concern over wave of violence in the Dominican Republic
The recent wave of violence that has shaken various parts of the Dominican Republic over the past weekend has raised alarms in the National Congress. Several legislators have questioned the effectiveness of current security plans, urging authorities to rethink their strategies and address the social roots of criminality.
Questioning official statistics
Deputy Carlos de Pérez expressed his skepticism regarding the figures presented by security agencies, pointing out a marked discrepancy between official reports and the reality experienced by the population on the streets. For the congressman, the State’s current criminal policy has not achieved the expected results.
I never believe in the statistics from either the Police or the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This moment is no exception, because while, on one hand, they talk to you about low figures, what you see in day-to-day life is much greater.
Carlos de Pérez, Deputy
A multifactorial problem
For his part, Carlos Sánchez, president of the Interior and Police Commission of the Chamber of Deputies, emphasized that the current problem does not only respond to common crime, but also to a worrying increase in social conflicts derived from complex factors.
- Mental Health: Identified as one of the main pillars requiring urgent attention.
- Substance abuse: Pointed out as a direct trigger in episodes of violence.
- Inter-institutional coordination: Sánchez called on Public Health, the Attorney General’s Office, and the DNCD to work together.
Although official statistics place the homicide rate at 6.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, Sánchez warned that interpersonal violence requires immediate intervention to prevent the situation from continuing to escalate.
Prioritizing prevention over reaction
Along the same lines, deputy Alcibiades Tavárez underscored the need to transition toward a more proactive police model. Tavárez insisted that the authorities’ approach must be focused on preventing crimes from occurring, rather than acting only once the events have already been committed.
The fundamental role of the family
Finally, congresswoman Soraya Suárez focused on the family unit as the determining pillar for reducing crime rates in the long term. According to the legislator, the formation of values and respect are responsibilities that begin at home and that the State cannot replace.
It is not just about strengthening institutions, it is about strengthening the family. The State can guide you under rules and conduct, but the family is the one that has to teach the child to respect what belongs to others.
Soraya Suárez, Congresswoman
This debate, motivated by the violent events recently recorded, highlights the urgency of a national consensus that combines public security policies with social assistance programs and the strengthening of civic education in Alofoke Deportes.
