On record the first three months of this year compared to the same months in 2006 has seen a 33% drop in crime, as reported by the Dominican government.  The figures also tally with a drop in major headlines in the Dominican press.

A meeting held yesterday at the National Palace with President Leonel Fernandez and the heads of the Citizen Sercurity Council all agreed to continue applying measures to assure the protection of the Dominican public and to continue to fight crime.  They also discussed measures aimed at reducing levels of violence in the country within the Democratic Security Plan.

Interior and Police minister Franklin Almeyda along with the Justice minister Radhames Jimenez affirmed that the program will be reinforced in the measure that due circumstances require.

Jimenez also said that "We are experiencing great successes as in the first quarter in 2007 we have had a drop in the cases of homicides by more than 33%, which is a positive sign with relation to year 2006".

Mr Almeyda said that there is more stability and progress in the sectors where the Safe Barrio Program has been implemented.

The Interior and Police minister said that the mass media play an important role in the security of the population in all its aspects.