No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveNational Police kick off tourist security campaign

National Police kick off tourist security campaign

Extra cops will be on land, at sea and even in the air keeping an eye on tourist hotspots this year just in time for Costa Rica’s biggest party.

President Laura Chinchilla traveled to scenic Playas del Coco over the weekend to kick off her administration’s public security campaign for the 2014 tourist high season.

National Police Director General Juan José Andrade said that law enforcement would mobilize 2,000 officers across the country with an emphasis on tourist areas.

The additional police officers will be stationed at beaches, mountainous areas, national parks and at major highway intersections during the peak tourism season, which lasts from December through the end of March.

Along with police on foot, Coast Guard boats will patrol coastlines popular with tourists. Air surveillance flights will also take place, Andrade said.

Chinchilla waxed lyrical about her time as public security minister during the event, highlighting her own efforts to improve the professionalism of the police force.

“That was the time I remember we started the Tourist Police program, when we started to see tourism as something that should be protected, not just international tourism but local as well,” Chinchilla said.

Some 650 officers will be out in force for Costa Rica’s biggest party in Palmares starting Wednesday, Jan. 15, according to a statement from the National Police.

Some 2 million tourists visit Costa Rica every year, according to estimates from the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

“Security is and continues to be a priority for this administration because the country needs peace and tranquility to develop. That’s why we’re announcing these operations here today to guarantee a safe summer for [Costa Ricans] as well as foreign tourists, because everyone deserves a safe vacation,” Public Security Minister Mario Zamora said, according to a press statement.

Trending Now

Guatemala Earthquakes Leave Two Dead and Several Injured

Two people died following the strong earthquakes that shook much of Guatemala on Tuesday and caused various material damages, according to civil protection authorities....

Strong Earthquake Shakes Panama’s Pacific Coast, No Damage Reported

A strong earthquake struck off Panama's Pacific coast today, rattling the region but causing no reported injuries or destruction. Seismologists pegged the magnitude at...

Illegal Airstrip Allegedly Built in Costa Rica’s Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge

The Limón branch of the Environmental Prosecutor's Office is investigating the alleged construction of an airstrip inside the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, as well...

Costa Rica Congressional President Rodrigo Arias Loses U.S. Visa

Rodrigo Arias, president of Costa Rica’s Congress, got unexpected news on July 9: the U.S. Embassy emailed him to say his visa was canceled....

Costa Rican Economists Raise Alarm Over U.S. Cash Transfer Tax

In 2026, the U.S. government will impose a 1% tax on cash remittances sent from the United States to Latin America. Electronic transfers will...

EU and Central America Launch First Meeting to Expand Trade Relations

The European Union and Central American nations came together for their first Association Council meeting in Brussels. They focused on growing trade and investment...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica