Dominican tourism police rile over shortage of equipment

The lack of equipment and personnel is barring tourism police officers from guaranteeing safety and security for foreign visitors, even though local authorities insist the Caribbean country is still a "safe travel destination."

Tourism Police Chief Daniel Martinez said he only has 900 law enforcement officers on the beat in different travel circuits, way too few to patrol all the resorts and keep crime at bay.

Mr. Martinez explained 500 members of the Armed Forces and the National Police Department were dispatched to travel destinations across the country after getting all-out training on tourist protection.

Galloping crime in the nation hurt the number-one economic powerhouse last November when several tourists were mugged on a bus and a couple of British sunbathers was attacked in their own home.