SANTO DOMINGO.- After a meeting of more than two hours, the owners of bars in the Santo Domingo province agreed with the Ministry of Interior and Police to sign an understanding agreement next Tuesday in an attempt to guarantee peace and citizen security in the face of the events violence that have shaken the demarcation.
The owners of the night establishments welcomed a proposal containing eight fundamental points aimed at improving the environment and security of said businesses.
In addition, they saw as positive the plans that the Ministry of the Interior and Police have to strengthen security in the different municipalities of Greater Santo Domingo.
Minister Jesús Vásquez Martínez reminded them that the measure to reduce the hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages is transitory and that it is due to the increase in rates of violence in the province, for which he asked for their understanding, since the intention is not to make him harm to business owners, but to ensure the safety of all.
“We are open to dialogue and we only hope that you will send us your valuable proposals in writing for the signing of this understanding agreement that we are sure will contribute to the downward trend that criminal acts have experienced after the entry into force of the measured in the last few days,” he said.
On his side, the president of the Dominican Federation of Merchants, Iván García, who accompanied the owners of night businesses, expressed the willingness of the owners of the establishments to cooperate with citizen security measures.
“At the end of this meeting, we left satisfied with the points discussed and now we bring a positive and encouraging message to the employees of our businesses that next Tuesday there will be a beneficial outing for everyone,” said García.
Junior González, president of the Union of Bars and Restaurants of Santo Domingo, considered it reasonable and convenient to collaborate decisively with the citizen security plan, because he understands that it is everyone’s commitment.
“We as businessmen cannot be oblivious to this reality, as a sector we have always been ready to contribute to the peace of this country, responsibly and ensuring the common good, since we have a family and our investments must also be preserved”, Indian.
Reasons for the measure
After listening to the statements made by Minister Vásquez Martínez and Vice Minister Ángela Jáquez regarding the increase in crime in the Santo Domingo province, which is why the decision was made to reduce the hours for the sale of alcoholic beverages, the Bar owners welcomed the decision made and showed their willingness to collaborate with the ministry on this and all security-related issues.
Given the diagnosis presented by the ministry to the bar owners, it was determined that there has been a significant increase in criminal acts from last September onwards.
As an example, the behavior of the number of homicides in the Santo Domingo province was presented to those present, which so far this year has risen to 308, while in 2018 there were 243, 276 in 2019, 236 in 2020 and 294 in 2021.
Participants
Also participating in the meeting were Senator Antonio Taveras, the director of Control of the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages (COBA), Elías Paulino; the director of Communications of the MIP, Ricardo Fortuna; the legal advisor, Jorge López Hilario, and the director of the Cabinet, Víctor Benavides.
For the business owners, Henry de los Santos, Richard Hernández, Isidro Novas, Walter Acosta, Darwin Santana and Nelvis Fortuna.
