Garabito is to get an additional 27 police as the local municipality increases its budget, reinforcing security in highly-touristed areas. 

The Municipal Police reinforcements are made up of 18 officers, two secretaries, two official guards, one commissioner, one sub-commissioner, and three supervisors. And while Garabito’s municipality increases their spending on police by 20 to 30 per cent, in the upcoming week officers will also be given seven new vehicles worth about $155,000.

The new police units will allow the municipal force to broaden their coverage for the canton, and reinforce their focus on principle tourist sectors found between the beaches of Jacó and Herradura.

“Today we cemented one of the most important projects for the local government, opening a new chapter in which we will be able to offer support to other police forces and create a secure environment for our people, as well as for those who visit us,” said Garabito’s Mayor Marvin Elizondo. 

In a similar endeavor, Tamarindo authorities are attempting to steel security for the popular tourist destination moving forward with a new police station. 

The new station is expected to house a minimum of 30 officers. Tamarindo’s police are also looking for the OIJ (Organismo de Investigación Judicial, or Judicial Investigation Police) to become involved in the project — an onsite OIJ representative would allow victims of crimes to forgo a drive to Santa Cruz in order to report a crime.

About $15,000 is needed by the end of the year to keep the police where they are, or else their motorcycles and car will be taken and put somewhere else, warned Federico Amador, the Executive Director of the Asociación de Pro Mejoras de Tamarindo (Tamarindo Association) during a town meeting early last month. 

The Association pays for the Tamarindo’s Fuerza Pública officers to remain within town in rented premised.