Herrera residents claim police officers cause more fear than criminals following death of young man
Residents of Las Palmas de Herrera demanded punishment for the officer responsible for the death of Darlin Mercado Reyes and reported that uniformed police are causing panic in the area.
Herrera residents claim police officers cause more fear than criminals following death of young man
Residents of the Las Palmas area, located in Herrera, Santo Domingo Oeste, expressed their sorrow over the death of Darlin Mercado Reyes, a local young man who lost his life during an operation carried out by officers of the National Police.
A neighbour at the site, identified as Aída Matos, witnessed what happened and condemned the conduct of the uniformed officers in the operation. According to her account, the incident took place in front of children who were in the vicinity.
Matos pointed out that the presence of the agents in the neighbourhood causes alarm among those who live there, rather than generating the sense of protection that should characterise the law enforcement force.
"That was a big thing, look. Very big. And we are very distressed about it. We are more afraid of the police than the gangsters," the witness stated in remarks reported by El Nacional.
Family members and other residents of the sector called on the authorities to investigate the case and impose sanctions in accordance with the law. They described the deceased as a person of blameless conduct within the neighbourhood, also highlighting his dedication to work despite his young age.
The incident has set off alarms in the community and has revived complaints about abusive behaviour attributed to some members of the police institution in low-income areas of the Dominican capital.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo