Six new four-wheelers and 24 motorcycles sparkled under yesterday morning's hot sun in the parking lot of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute's (ICT) San José headquarters. Just as shiny beside them were the smiles of Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides and Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal as they received these gifts from Taiwanese Ambassador Tzu-Dan Wu.
The vehicles, worth $75,000, will be used by the country's 125 Tourism Police who assumed their posts in December (TT, Dec. 22, 2006) and hopefully by the 150 more officers expected to graduate by the end of this year.
Statistics indicate that this new police force -- created specifically to target crimes against tourists -- has been successful so far, Benavides said. Robberies against tourists have decreased during the first two months of this year to 910, down from the 1,168 reported during the same period last year, he said.
With Taiwan's generous donation received yesterday, “these 125 Tourism Police will be able to work in better conditions, especially during times when a great quantity of tourists head to vacation spots, such as Semana Santa,” Benavides said.
Tourism Police officer Eric Conteras, who has worked in the San José area since December, agreed the vehicles are much appreciated since one of the main challenges he's faced in his job so far has been a “lack of resources.”
Another difficulty has been his beginner's level of English, which he is studying through classes offered by the U.S. Embassy.
Overall, Conteras said he feels the new force has been successful. “It has a new, nontraditional focus on tourism security, and people are feeling safer,” Contéras said, explaining that in addition to dealing with crimes and striving to prevent them, he often gives tourists practical advice such as directions and restaurant recommendations. |
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