The “miracle” of La Puya de Arroyo Hondo: the neighborhood where even criminals collaborate

La Puya— one of the oldest neighborhoods in Arroyo Hondo– has witnessed a “miracle.” It has evolved from being a place feared by locals and outsiders alike to becoming a community that now boasts tranquility.

Located at the entrance of the sector, next to the National Zoological Park and just minutes from the also renowned Cristo Rey neighborhood, La Puya serves as an example of how community organization and the determination of its residents can transform coexistence.

Basilio Lorenzo, president of the La Puya Neighborhood Association, recalled that a few years ago, the situation was very different. “Here before, it was unbearable; we had a pandemic with crime, and we lived in lockdown, but it’s a sector where we can live now,” he stated.

He acknowledged, however, that garbage problems persist in the lower part of the neighborhood, particularly in the areas known as La Gallera and El Aguacate.

“It’s better here than in a Catholic church or an Evangelical church. The executioners here said bluntly, ‘There’s no stealing here,'” a resident who preferred to remain anonymous told this newspaper.

Francisco Montilla, president of the Nuevo Horizonte Club, stated that crime rates have continued to drop.

“Regarding crime, it’s dropped by 95%, because things have been quiet here, and the criminals themselves have done their part to keep the area healthy,” he explained.

The current situation contrasts sharply with the events that were once the norm, according to its residents. In 2022, La Puya experienced a surge in crime, marked by constant clashes between rival gangs fighting over drug smuggling points in the area.

Residents recalled those years as a period of widespread fear, with frequent robberies, muggings, and insufficient police presence to control the violence.

Montilla also emphasized that garbage collection is operating regularly, although he requested greater support for sports activities, especially for the community court, which is currently undergoing repairs.

Another challenge for the community remains access to drinking water. According to Lorenzo, a project is underway in coordination with the Santo Domingo Water and Sewer Corporation (CAASD) to address the shortage. “We have the equipment here and the engineers; it’s already on the table for implementation,” he said.

The Government says the crime rate is down

As it does every week, the Ministry of the Interior and Police reported last Monday that crime continues to decline in the country.

Regarding homicides, Minister of the Interior and Police Faride Raful highlighted the sustained decline in the rate, which currently stands at 8.08 per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 9.8 in 2024 and 12.04 in 2023, reflecting the ongoing systematic work of the task force. She explained that 25 districts are in single digits and 9 are in double digits.

Regarding thefts, he stated that reports have decreased from 65,778 in 2024 to 56,333 compared to the same period this year. He reiterated the importance of the public’s collaboration in the process by filing reports.

“We urge citizens to report robberies through our platforms and police stations,” the official encouraged.

The Puya

La Puya de Arroyo Hondo was established in the 1960s, when low-income families began to settle on the edges of what was once a lush, ravine-lined area north of the capital.

Over the years, the neighborhood grew in a disorganized manner, while middle- and upper-class residential developments were built in the surrounding area. According to information provided by the president of the Union of Neighborhood Associations, more than 20,000 people reside in La Puya.

For a long time, it was seen as a “popular enclave” within a privileged sector, marked by high levels of poverty, makeshift housing, and crime problems.

However, the strength of its neighborhood associations, the role of sports clubs, and the efforts of its own residents have shaped a neighborhood that, despite its shortcomings, has managed to reinvent itself.