Governor enacts boosts in municipal powers

The governor said mayors are often better suited than the central government to meet the needs of their constituents.

“I have always been a strong believer that because of their proximity to the residents of their municipalities, our mayors are the ones who best know the needs and concerns of each community and each family,” Fortuño said during a press conference in Toa Baja. “With these measures we ensure that our people have greater access to services of good governance that we promised them.”

The bills include a measure to greatly expand the powers of municipal police forces, a key piece of the administration’s anti-crime plan.

Under the legislation enacted Thursday, municipal police will be able to carry out arrests without a warrant and without first consulting with the island Police Department. Municipal police officers will also be extended the same shields covering state agents in terms of responding to crimes while off-duty.

Importantly, island mayors will be authorized to establish special municipal police units such as tactical operations, riot squads and anti-narcotics bureaus, subject to the approval of the island Police Department superintendent.

“This bill, part of this administration’s platform, marks another milestone in the history of municipal autonomy,” said Fortuño. “It represents a concrete contribution by the government in seeking solutions to prevent crime in Puerto Rico, to ensure, maintain and restore order and public peace, safeguard the life, integrity and security of people, and protect the free exercise of the rights and freedoms of citizens.”

The governor also signed Senate Bill 386, converting the Criminal Justice College into a training academy and continuing-education campus for all police officers.

Also enacted was a House bill to amend the Penal Code to make issuing threats a third-degree felony.

Fortuño also announced the transfer of more than two dozen commonwealth properties to 19 municipal governments to develop programs including healthcare, public safety, fine arts and Head Start centers.

“In addition to maximizing the use of these structures, we ensure that they remain in use for the benefit of the community, avoiding their rapid deterioration,” the governor said.

The facilities are in Barceloneta, Caguas, Cidra, Comerío, Guayama, Gurabo, Humacao, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Morovis, Naguabo, Peñuelas, Ponce, Salinas, San Lorenzo, San Sebastián, Yabucoa and Yauco.

The municipal governments can also use the properties for community activities, extended daycare programs, learning centers and treatment centers.

The governor signed a measure transferring operation of the Yabucoa Diagnostic & Treatment Center to that municipal government, which will also get the portions of the Public Buildings Authority and Health Department budgets allotted for the clinic for fiscal 2011.

“With these measures, we expect our mayors to feel better prepared to support their people,” Fortuño said. “We all have the same goal—providing the best services to maximize our resources so that we can become the safe and healthy Puerto Rico that we all want.”