PANAMA’’S DEPUTIES appear to have little interest in the security concerns of the people who elected them to office with perks like gas allowance for their chauffer driven gas-guzzling 4x4s, tax-free importation of cars,and their own cozy impunity  shield, should they stray from the path of morality.

Only 19 were on hand when Minister of Public Security Rodolfo Aguilera, turned up at the National Assembly on Thursday, August 20 to answer questions,
Earlier in the month public concerns about apparent increasing crime rates had been categorized as largely a matter of perception, with statistics showing that crime rates have been falling.
The perception is heightened by the country’s tabloid drooling over photos of gang warfare victims and family slayings.
Aguilera told the few who hung around to listen that he is committed to continue lowering crime rates and returning peace to the citizenry.
While at the Assembly, he was supposed to answer 10 (not 20) questions about safety, with no prize for giving the right answers but the meeting, was suspended early as members drifted away leaving not enough for a quorum.
Undeterred, the minister described the meeting as positive and said that the deputies who hung around long enough to hear his stats, agreed that there has been a decrease in crime rates.
He also announced that the government plans to implement a video surveillance system and an electronic monitoring system to protect victims of domestic violence.
He could visit El Renacer prison and get some tips from the former National Security Committee members facing trial for their snooping activities during the Martinelli administration.
In the meantime he told the loyal listeners " I do not have the slightest doubt that what we are doing will reduce the crime rate in a short period of time to restore tranquility to the citizenship," According to the minister, the increase in crime between 2005 and 2013 has traumatized the population.
"This has created a sense of insecurity that we all suffer from and is fueling the perception in which 8 out of every 10 Panamanians feel insecure," he said.
So far this year there have been 301 homicides, 71 less than last year at this time. If the Minister’s hopes are fulfilled and the homicide rate continues to fall, how will the tabloids survive without their daily offerings of front page gore?