Homeowners should have
firearm handy, reader says

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

After reading the recent letters concerning crime in the Quepos area, I would like to offer another point of view. The fact of the matter is there are only two times when the crime can be stopped. Before and during the crime.
 
1.)  If you can prevent someone from becoming a criminal in the first place, which is done by deterring people from a life of crime through penalties such as long term incarceration for serious crimes (a deterrent Costa Rica can't afford to offer), or death penalty, etc. The other is an alternative way to make a living beside a life of crime, such as work that pays well, such as economic opportunity (an option Costa Rica doesn’t offer to most).  As B.J. Massey points out, the rewards of a criminal life outweigh the penalties. This method of correction would take decades to work.

2.) Most crimes happen in seconds or minutes. Even in the U.S. where the citizens are taxed to death and sufficient money is being thrown at law enforcement, it is totally unrealistic to think the police will be there in the minutes or seconds the crime takes place. So the answer is to deputize the homeowner or citizen by expanding their rights to protect themselves through gun ownership and gun education/training.

One example of this theory in action is where this expat shot a home invader in the chest in which he immediately gave up information and names on his partners in crime. See article (Anderson) http://www.amcostarica.com/113006.htm.
 
The bottom line is :
 
A.) You can’t reason with a desperate criminal that is willing take a firearm and commit a crime which may result in someone’s death.
B.) The police cannot respond in time to stop the crime.
C.) People need the means to protect themselves such as legal firearms possession.

There is the possibility that lives can be lost on both sides of the law by use of this method, however, the psychological effect that it will have on the criminal that the victim may be armed might just be the deterring factor that prevents him from taking action.

One fact that I want to make expat homeowners aware of is that you are allowed to have a Sociedad Anonima or S.A. and legally purchase and register a firearm under it for your home protection purposes. I would strongly suggest that firearms and self-protection training accompany the purchase of the firearm so split second decisions can be made on when and whether to draw and use the firearm as prevention during a crime.

Drugs, illegal immigration
are not problem, he says

I read Mr. Bodaans' lamentable letter concerning Quepos' understaffed, poorly equipped police, and their growing crime problems with a mixture of feelings.

In my 25 years in Costa Rica $$$billions have flowed into the country to surfeit the coffers of the rich and powerful. Only a fraction of that sum has ever reached the "people". The greedy and venal politicians, along with their affluent supporters, find it a convenient distraction to blame the growth of crime on drugs and illegal immigration.
 
It's no secret that poverty is a major source of crime as well as a host of other ills. Until a major effort is made to change underlying 'social' conditions, the problems of crime will remain, and probably worsen.

I imagine by then, a repressive, quasi police state, [similar to the U.S.A.], will have emerged to deal with these issues.  And sadly, the once gentle and peaceful Tico will be transformed into another angry "fraternal"beast.

He cites environmental woes
at Manual Antonio's park

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

I have been reading with interest the complaints and concerns about crime in Quepos and the letter from Harry Bodaan particularly caught my eye. Mr. Bodaan complains that local folks and businesses are not organizing nor investing money to protect their interests and, thus, the crime wave is affecting tourists and residents alike.

I can also attest to the environmental version of this problem. Currently, the stream at the entrance to the Manuel Antonio National Park is flowing with sewage.   Real estate developers are decimating the area's remaining forests and harming both critical habitat and scenic beauty. Quepos is on the verge of environmental collapse, and so far most business and property owners are doing nothing to help solve these devastating problems. But there is something you can do.

The Fund for Costa Rica has a challenge grant of $50,000 for 2007 to help fund local environmental defense patrols to stop pollution and deforestation. This means that every dollar in donations from local businesses and property owners will be matched 100 percent up to $50,000. Further, we will even match donations to install non-polluting toilets in the Manuel Antonio National Park. So far we have raised effectively $0 in donations from local businesses, and that needs to change!

If you own a business or property and you want to help ensure that Manuel Antonio continues to be a natural paradise and a successful nature tourism destination, now is the time to act! Your donation will not only make a real difference on the ground in Manuel Antonio but will be doubled! For more information visit us at www.fundforcostarica.org  or monotiti@racsa.co.cr.