This weekend, the Costa Rican Public Security Ministry (MSP) announced plans to build eleven new police stations throughout Costa Rica for a total investment of US$21.3 million.

The infrastructure project began with the inauguration last week of Pérez Zeledón’s new facility in southern Costa Rica which is valued at US$2.3 million. The structure will improve operations of the region’s nearly 2,000 km2 which is patrolled by 157 officers. The ministry aims to have 250 police officers assigned to the region, with its population of over 134,000, in the future.

“A greater police presence and close contact with residents allow us to continue reinforcing actions against organized crime, drug trafficking, and to prioritize, as I have requested of the police, the protection of local residents,” said President Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera on a recent trip to Pérez Zeledón.

The infrastructure projects are being funded with a US$21.3 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and will be completed in 2018, said the MSP.

“This plan builds on work already carried out, such as the new police delegations in Liberia which involved an investment of US$1.9 million. Alajuela is serving 252 thousand people after an investment of US$2.1 million, and Sarapiquí’s station, valued at US$2.3 million protects almost 58 thousand residents,” said the Deputy Minister of Security, Bernardita Salazar.

These existing projects were financed by the MSP, together with donations by the Governments of the United States and China.

New police stations to be built with the loan monies include Guararí, Heredia (population, 49.209; investment US$1.4 million), Carrandí, Matina (population,12,047; investment US$1.3 million); Palmares, Alajuela (population, 34,716; investment $2.4 million); Santa Cruz, Guanacaste (population, 55,104; investment US$1.9 million); Esparza, Puntarenas (population, 28,644; investment US$991,946); Parrita, Puntarenas (population,16,115; investment US$1.5 million); and Puntarenas (population, 72,170, investment US$2.2 million), said the MSP.

Other works that were completed by the MSP in cooperation with local support include the Police Office in Bahía Ballena, Puntarenas;  the Police Station of Cuatro Esquinas de Los Chiles, financed in part by the company Tico Frut; construction of police dormitories in Sarapiquí; and  remodeling of the Golfito Station.

A retaining wall at the Coast Guard Station in Barra del Colorado was donated by the Government of the United States of America as well as control posts at the Cieneguita River in Limón and at Puerto Coyote, Guanacaste.

The Security Ministry said they are also moving forward with the establishment of a National Police School in Pococí, Limón, and the Murciélago Police Training Center in Guanacaste.