23 Jan 2019 | 04:53 AM UTC
US: Puerto Rican officials meet January 22 to address crime wave
Government and community leaders meet on January 22 to address spike in daytime violence
Event
Hundreds of Puerto Rican government and community leaders met in San Juan (Puerto Rico) on Tuesday, January 22, to discuss an ongoing crime spike in the territory. There has been an alarming number of daylight shootings and murders in the first few weeks of 2019, including a 09:00 (local time) shooting in the popular tourist area of Isla Verde. Authorities have recorded at least 43 murders as of January 22. While this figure is lower than the 65 homicides over the same time period of 2018, officials are concerned with the brazen nature of many of the incidents.
Context
Puerto Rico has a homicide rate of 20 per 100,000 people, a similar rate to Chicago. A total of 641 murders were recorded in 2018.
Advice
Individuals in Puerto Rico are advised to monitor the situation and remain vigilant for criminal activity.
