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Police increase operations to protect tourists |
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 By A.M. Costa Rica
staff
The Ministry of Security carried out special operations this weekend as a preventative measure in various tourist destinations in order to provide better security conditions for the locals and visitors. Daniel Calderón, general director of police, said, "This operation has a special emphasis on the tourist areas of the country. We have done a previous study of the sectors of greater vulnerability or risk and the crimes that most affect tourists visit them, both national and foreign." The police have been developing operations since December called "Safe Summer." These are preventive actions during the summer season, which is when there are a major number of tourists. The last report the National Coast Guard Service shows that from December to Thursday, January 10, 69 foreign and local tourists have been rescued. In addition, the Coast Guard warned 6,988 people about the risks of accidents on the water and the police responded to 32 calls for help involving boats and tourists who required some assistance. María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism, said, "Security is indispensable to guarantee the sustainability of the tourist destinations and for this the police and the National Coast Guard Service are our strategic partners." According to the minister, these prevention operations are a sign that the tourism institute and the Ministry of Security are committed and working hard to increase security for tourists. One of the last tourist rescues occurred last week officers from the Coastguard Station of Flamingo* rescued two Danish tourists and two Costa Ricans who were drifting near Catalinas Islands*, in the North of Guanacaste. |
 National Coast Guard Service courtesy photo Coastguard Station of Flamingo rescued two Danish tourists and two Costa Ricans who were drifting near Catalinas Islands. Rescuers' report that they received an emergency call, "about a yacht that was drifting 18 nautical miles from the Catalinas Islands* north of Guanacaste, and was being dragged to the North Pacific Ocean." Upon arrival, the rescuer found a sport fishing yacht named Aserrí Alaska, license plate GPC 9372, which had problems with its fuel system and was being dragged off course by strong winds. The ship held four people, two Danish tourists and two Costa Ricans who were the ship's crew, said the rescuers. The rescuers checked their health and gave them medical attention then towed the yacht to Flamingo Bay. According to the rescuers, the four men were in good health so it was not necessary to transfer them to a clinic. ---- What else should the government do to reduce tourist accidents? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Click on the blue letters to reach the place in google maps. |
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