Wave of robberies keeps residents and merchants of Santo Domingo Este on edge
Tranquility in sectors such as Cancino, Los Trinitarios, and their surroundings in Santo Domingo Este has been severely affected by a notable increase in criminal acts. Residents and business owners express their concern regarding a wave of assaults that, according to reports, occurs at any time of the day, affecting both pedestrians and commercial establishments.
Those affected point out that the lack of constant police patrolling is the main factor that facilitates the actions of criminals. According to the testimonies collected, the antisocial individuals take advantage of moments of less surveillance to intercept workers leaving their homes in the early hours of the morning or citizens walking the streets at nightfall.
Insecurity is very high. After nine or ten at night, you can barely walk around, and people who get up early, at five or six in the morning, have to be extremely careful.
Jonás, sector resident.
Impact on business activity and daily life
The commercial sector has been one of the hardest hit. Víctor Manuel, a local merchant, described the situation as unsustainable, recounting how robberies against betting shops and private citizens have been recorded even in broad daylight. For their part, other residents have requested an increase in the presence of motorized officers, arguing that most criminals use motorcycles to commit their misdeeds and make a quick getaway.
In neighboring sectors like Los Molinos, the situation has forced some businesses to restrict their home delivery services during nighttime hours, due to the fear that their delivery drivers may become victims of crime. According to residents, this escalation of insecurity is unusually strong compared to previous periods.
The education sector is also a target for crime
The issue has even reached educational centers. Recently, a teacher from the Tomás Taveras Mandinga School was injured during an assault while heading to his workplace in Cancino II. Although the teacher is in stable condition, the incident has raised alarms within the school community.
- Support staff and teachers have been recurring victims of attempted robberies in the vicinity of the educational center.
- There have been reports of unauthorized individuals entering the premises who, through deception, have robbed teaching staff of their belongings.
- In response to these reports, security authorities have committed to reinforcing surveillance during arrival and departure times, a measure the community hopes will be maintained permanently to ensure everyone’s safety.
Despite the promises of the authorities, the call from the inhabitants of Santo Domingo Este is clear: a comprehensive and constant security strategy is required to restore peace to the affected sectors and guarantee the free movement of citizens.
