With The Highest Murder Rate In The U.S., Puerto Rico Needs Immediate Solutions

Puerto Rico Herald ^ | 1/20/2005 | TAINA ROSA

[KwasiOwusu]

If you asked anyone in Puerto Rico what the No. 1 problem on the island is, they more than likely would respond without hesitation, crime. The fact is more murders occur in Puerto Rico than anywhere in the mainland U.S., according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Once again, Puerto Rico–with a population of 4 million–ended the year with an alarming homicide rate, higher than the three-largest cities in the mainland U.S. With 790 murders reported during 2004, the island had a higher murder rate than New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

For the third-consecutive year, the number of murders in New York City (total population 8 million) has been under 600, ending 2004 with 571 murders, 25 less than in 2003. Los Angeles (total population 4 million) reported 511 murders and, for the first time in four decades, Chicago’s (total population 3 million) homicide rate fell below 500 to 445, a 25% decrease compared to 2003.

Puerto Rico’s mean homicide rate is three times that of the total U.S. mainland and four times that of Europe. More than 60% of homicides on the island are linked to drug trafficking although sources within the Puerto Rico Police Department say the percentage may be as high as 75%.

[nikos1121]

they have the highest % of people on welfare too, correct? and unemployment?

or at least used to.

nikos

[RockinRight]

Secession. Do we really need Puerto Rico anyway??

[RKV]

Sounds like time for shall issue CCW to me. Once the perps get the idea that the locals shoot back, they will think twice before the crime.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Since we don't have Vieques (sp?) any more, we should eliminate PR as a $15 billion tax dollar dump.

[CzarNicky]

concealed carry will solve the problem.

[cll]

ping for later

[San Jacinto]

They are not "in the U.S."....sheesh

[AmishDude]

Like it or not, the surest solution to crime is electing Republicans. Ask NYC.

[Hu Gadarn]

Puerto Rico is a pretty island.... But you cant get out of your car there or you get mugged.... They get no sympathy from me. They have been taking benefits from us like Social security, Welfare and the like and not paying one dime into the system they are taking from. Cut em loose or make them a state. If you cut them loose... they are on their own. If they become a state... well then I guess we can help. Until they make the next step to hell with them.

[RockinRight]

They won't cut it loose for fear of losing Hispanic votes.

So, the 51st state it is...

[squirt-gun]

People from the U.S and locals have tried but the problem is simply not correctable....Its a matter of genetics.

[wardaddy]

Puerto Rico as a state?

Think again...that would mean 3,995,000 instant Democrats.

We hardly need that.

Cut them loose. They will sink to their natural level like the Dom Rep in less than a generation without our subsidies. I'd rather have Cuba anyhow.

[dfwgator]

Did I miss something, since when is Puerto Rico part of the US?

[rmmcdaniell]

Did I miss something, since when is Puerto Rico part of the US?

Since the Spanish-American war

[Southack]

Maybe they should campaign to get rid of our Viques bombing range. surely they'd have less crime without that Billion Dollars in annual federal military income, yes?!

< /sarcasm >

[45semi]

In the waning years of the Clinton Administration, Protesters demanded that the US Navy abandon bombing and naval gun fire exercises that had taken place on the largely uninhabited island for nearly seventy years.

Liberal icons bumped into one another to fly to Puerto Rico, boat over to the island, trespass (but never on a day that there was an exercise scheduled) and get arrested for the benefit of the New York Times or Newsweek.

They included (but were not limited to):
Reverend Al Sharpton,
Mrs. Jesse Jackson,
Joan Baez,
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,
Edward Olmos,
Michael Moore
Ramsey Clark, just to name a few.

In 2002, the bombing exercises were transferred to an Air Force bombing range in central Florida, not far from the Jacksonville and Pensacola Naval Air Stations.

In January, many of the protesters were back in Puerto Rico, celebrating the final bombing exercise on Vieques and waved Puerto Rican flags and placards that read :
"U.S. Navy, get out of Puerto Rico."

The following Feb, Rumsfeld announced that the U.S. Navy will close the Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station in Puerto Rico in 2004, eliminating 1200 civilian jobs as well as 700 military positions. This naval facility is estimated to have put nearly $300 million annually into the local economy.

The next day a stunned Governor Sila Calderon, held a news conference in San Juan, protesting the base closure as a serious blow to the Commonwealth's fragile economy.
The governor stated that "The people of Puerto Rico don't now or never did have an interest in closing the Vieques bombing range or the Roosevelt Roads naval base. We are interested in both staying in Puerto Rico."

When asked, the Commander-in Chief, Western Atlantic Command, said, "Without Vieques, I see no further need for the facility at Roosevelt Roads. None."

So, Yanqui go home? Fine. But we'll take our dollars with us. Hasta la vista,baby!

On February 21, the Secretary of Defense also announced that starting this year, the U.S. European Command would begin moving most if not all of its active combat and support units from bases in Germany to others being established in Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey to "better position them for rapid deployment to likely hot spots in those parts of the world."

Immediately the business and government leaders in German states of Hesse, Rhineland and Wurttemburg, protested the loss of nearly $6 billion in revenue each year from the bases and manpower to be displaced.
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry speculated that the move may be "what the Americans call 'payback' for the actions of this government in opposing Military action in Iraq.

" Does anyone know the German translation for "Hasta la vista, baby?"

[dfwgator]

Yeah, but it's a Commonwealth, not a state.

[PAR35]

Independence for Puerto Rico. Then everyone should be happy.

[Pittsburg Phil]

And the DemoRats want to make Puerto Rico a state!!!! Forget about it.