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By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER
Associated Press Writer
Almost three weeks after the federal government restored control of the Caracas police force to the city mayor, police claim they are outgunned by criminals and practically defenseless because all their weapons haven't been returned. Officers are dying as a result, they say. President Hugo Chavez ordered the armed forces to take custody of police stations last November, accusing the police of playing a key role in a short-lived 2002 coup and repressing pro-government marches. On Oct. 10, soldiers left police stations as Chavez's administration relinquished control of the 9,000-strong city police force under orders from the Supreme Court after the 10-month takeover. Despite the military's withdrawal from city precincts, Venezuela's defense ministry hasn't returned more than 2,000 MP-5 submachine guns and dozens of 12-gauge shotguns that were confiscated during the takeover. Lacking powerful firearms to fight criminals in violent Caracas, an increasing number of police officers are dying, said Metropolitan Police Chief Lazaro Forero. He said 24 police have been killed and 90 wounded in clashes with criminals since the takeover began. Last week, an officer wearing a flak jacket died in action after being shot with ten armor-piercing bullets. "We can't fight crime like this. It's a battle we can't win because we are competing with criminals that have weapons for wars," Forero told the Associated Press. City police are currently permitted to use .38-caliber revolvers. Meanwhile, weekend death tolls in this increasingly chaotic capital are rising. Pedestrians are robbed at gunpoint in plain daylight and bus drivers regularly block main avenues to protest daily holdups. Raimundo Arraiz told the local Ultimas Noticias newspaper that an average of 20 bus drivers on a route through western Caracas's poor districts are held up everyday. According to statistics released by Venezuela's federal police, there were 1,435 homicides in Caracas last year compared to 1,609 murders during the first seven months of 2003. Forero says the total has crept to 1,800. Crimes of all types are increasing. Luis Uguarte, a 43-year-old taxi driver, three robberies at gunpoint in less than six months prompted him to stop driving at night despite the lack of traffic jams and higher rates. "One of my buddies was held up by two older women, one of them holding a baby and the other a revolver," said Uguarte. "It's tough trusting anyone these days." According to Forero, police have recently confronted assailants equipped with mortars, grenade launchers, automatic rifles, tear gas, bulletproof vests and "bullets that can penetrate car engines." The government, which blames the rise in crime on the Metropolitan police's alleged inefficiency, plans to dispatch some 500 National Guard troops to patrol Caracas streets on Oct. 29. to contribute to the fight against crime. Venezuela's defense ministry insists the weapons that were seized by soldiers are classified as "weapons of war," which are not permitted for use by state or municipal police forces and cannot be returned. Opposition lawmakers argue that military commanders, by failing to overturn the firearms to police, are breaking the law and could be held in contempt of court. The law defines "weapons of war" as any weapon that can be used by the military, "including a bayonet" or revolver, opposition lawmaker Wilfredo Febres told a press conference on Tuesday. "This (law) authorizes police to use such weapons," he said.
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Caracas Police Outgunned by Criminals
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