District representatives on the Panama City Municipal Council confronted police officials over a surge in violent crime during a tense session on Monday. Councilors from multiple districts described neighborhoods under siege, demanding immediate coordination and more resources from the National Police of Panama. The meeting highlighted a growing crisis of public safety in the capital, with officials warning that tourism and daily life are under threat.
The eighth session of the council became a forum for urgent appeals. Representatives from central districts like Santa Ana, San Felipe, and El Chorrillo presented detailed accounts of shootings, robberies, and homicides that have left residents terrified. Their collective frustration centered on what they called an inadequate and poorly coordinated police response to a deteriorating situation.
Santa Ana Representative Details Hours-Long Gunfight
Kira Ponce, the representative for the Santa Ana district, set a stark tone. She stated her community is engulfed in a wave of violence that requires sustained action, not temporary measures. Ponce, a member of the Revolutionary Democratic Party (Panama), provided a chilling example of the daily reality.
“In Santa Ana we are not asking for privileges. We are asking for security, tranquility, and the right to live without fear,” Ponce said. [Translated from Spanish]
She recounted a recent incident where residents were trapped by a gunfight that lasted approximately three hours. The danger is so pervasive that Ponce relocated her community board office after she and her staff found themselves caught in the crossfire of another shooting. This wasn’t the first time, she noted. The district made headlines just last week when a 74-year-old man was murdered by gang members in the patio pinel area. The victim had been diverted there by a navigation app after main routes to the Casco Antiguo, Panama were closed for carnival logistics.
Police Statistics Show Mixed Results Amid Skepticism
Subcommissioner Alexander Camaño, director of Strategic Planning for the National Police, presented official data earlier in the session. He reported that a containment plan launched on January 2 has yielded some positive results. Homicides in the city have decreased by 45 percent compared to the same period last year, he said. Thefts and robberies are down 25 percent, while police raids have increased by 10 percent.
Statistics from the Public Ministry appear to support a drop in killings, showing a 17.6 percent reduction in homicides this January compared to January 2025. Those same figures, however, reveal a 1 percent increase in robberies. Council members from across the city expressed deep skepticism about the statistics reflecting their lived experience. They questioned not only the number of officers on patrol but also the availability of functional police vehicles and the speed of response when incidents are reported.
Representatives Keira Navarro of El Chorrillo, Yatzumaly Worrel of Calidonia, and César Kianco of Bella Vista each voiced specific concerns about crime plans for their sectors. Rodolfo Rodríguez of Parque Lefevre and Arielis Barría of Tocumen challenged the distribution of police units and checkpoints. Barría noted her area suffers from kidnappings of minors in addition to more common crimes.
Tourism and Historic Centers at Risk, Officials Warn
The economic stakes of the security crisis were made explicitly clear. Mario Kennedy, representative for San Felipe, issued a direct warning about the potential impact on Panama City’s vital tourism sector. His district includes major historic and cultural attractions.
“If crime continues, historic and tourist points like the Casco Antiguo, the Cinta Costera, and the Seafood Market could be seriously affected,” Kennedy stated. [Translated from Spanish]
He argued that while three security agencies should be operating in his district, the reality is different. Kennedy also criticized how police forces were distributed during recent protests, suggesting a misallocation of resources. His comments underscore a fear that the violence spilling into neighborhoods could deter visitors from areas like the casco antiguo, damaging the city’s reputation and economy.
Mayor’s Absence Noted as Council Seeks Solutions
A recurring point of contention was the absence of Panama City Mayor Mayer Mizrachi for most of the critical debate. Council members lamented that the mayor spent little time in the session and did not hear their direct testimonies. Mizrachi posted on social media during the meeting about a “special visit” to the council, a move that contrasted sharply with the grave concerns being aired.
In response to the barrage of criticism, Subcommissioner Camaño assured the council that specific plans are being implemented to address recent incidents. He emphasized the National Police’s commitment to addressing citizen concerns. Other representatives proposed concrete steps forward. David Bernal of Juan Díaz suggested forming a working table that includes community leaders and the Ministries of Education and Security to strengthen prevention. He also requested technical studies for the strategic placement of surveillance cameras.
The session ended without a definitive new strategy but with a clear message from district representatives. The perceived gap between police statistics and community experience remains wide. The calls for more officers, better equipment, and smarter coordination are now public and on the record. The pressure is mounting on both police leadership and the mayor’s office to translate promises into palpable security improvements on the streets of the capital. The coming weeks will test whether this council showdown leads to action or more frustration.