How many different kinds of police do we have in Antigua Guatemala? Let’s see if I can recall all of them. Policía Nacional Civil, that’s PNC for short or Guatemala’s Civil National Police. Policía Municipal, that’s the municipal police. Policía de Turismo, that’s the tourist police. Policía Municipal de Tránsito or traffic municipal police. Policía … Read more
In this tiny office of this building, the Captains’ Palace, two police officers take crime reports, charges and denounces, all under the Spanish word of denuncias. This photo looks like a slide taken out of a Latin American film from the 80s; like Men with Guns or El Norte. Unlike their peers in other parts … Read more
This photo was taken the same day as the previous entry on the Teachers demonstration. It is funny how there never seems to be enough police to combat organized crime and thieves, but they appear out of nowhere to keep teachers, students, workers, farmers, unions, etc. in order. People, in general, have little confidence in … Read more
The first phase of the Antigua Guatemala security camera surveillance system, sort of the chapín Skynet, came online on February 2012 with 60 high-definition cameras connected via a fiber optic network. Most of the cameras have a 36x zoom capability and are installed at fixed key intersection through out Antigua Guatemala. There are four dome … Read more
Central Park and the streets nearby were militarized for about 10 hours, beginning around 5 a.m. because El Señor Presidente of Guatemala decided to have a meeting with the municipality majors of Sacatepéquez (that’s the name of Departamento or State to which La Antigua Guatemala is the capital). As I walked into Central Park I … Read more
Oficina de atención al ciudadano P.N.C. or Citizen desk of Civil National Police (P.N.C. in Spanish acronym) was written in the back of the three-tray inbox sitting in the desk of one of local police station, or rather administration office. This police office main purpose is to receive citizens reports, formal complaints, denunciations, et cetera. … Read more
Se empieza cediendo con las palabras. —Esperanza, mi novia We begin to yield with words. —Esperanza, my girlfriend Psychology 101: we begin the desensitization process the moment we incorporate into our daily vocabulary words and comments, jokes or phrases that belittle women; even if the remarks or phrases seemed insignificant. The same applies for the … Read more