CRIME IN PANAMA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 18

CRIME IN PANAMA

Robbery, Violence Rampant (N .Z.P. A. -Reuter— Copyrig ht) PANAMA, April 16. Tourists have been warned to exercise extreme care when walking round this Canal Zone city as police continue an all-out campaign against the current wave of violent crime. Police arrested more than 80 suspects during the weekend but did not have to bring into use the Government’s order to shoot on sight but not to kill. Fuming over a rash of robberies, assaults, and other violence in recent months, the Minister of Justice, Mr Marco Robles, has sent squads of armed police searching for underworld gangs. Some Panama City residents have been robbed four and five times. A New Zealander, Mr Edward W. Scott, editor of the English daily “Panama American,” has installed a strong, iron-sheathed door to his residence which so far has withstood five burglary attempts. The Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy. Mr Giles L. Bullard, has had his car stolen and his home entered on three occasions.

Thieves last night stole a television set and a quantity of liquor from the home of Dr. Harmodio Arias, jun., a brother-in-law of the dancer, Dame Margot Fonteyn. Panama has reportedly lost considerable tourist business because of the violence. Some tourist agencies are reported to have stopped issuing tickets for Panama and others advise tourists to exercise extreme care when walking in the city.