Reports of robberies decrease in Santiago after operations and deaths in alleged confrontations
Reports of robberies and other crimes decreased in Santiago during the first nine months of 2026, in a period marked by police operations, the surrender of people identified as fugitives from justice, and the deaths of others during alleged confrontations with officers.
The Cibao Central Directorate of the National Police reported that between January and September 2025, 7,382 complaints were registered, while in the same period of 2026 the figure dropped to 4,959, representing 2,423 fewer complaints and a reduction of 32.8%.
The decrease was also reflected in August, one of the months with the greatest difference between the two periods. According to police statistics, 765 reports of robberies and muggings were registered in August 2025, compared to 394 in August 2026, a reduction of 371 cases, or 48.5%.
The institution also reported a decrease in indicators related to homicides and injuries. The homicide rate indicates how many deaths occur per 100,000 inhabitants. According to its data, Santiago has a rate of 5.4%, which the police rank as the second-lowest among the institution’s 19 regional directorates.
In September 2026, that indicator stood at 1.1%, down from 3.4% in September 2025, according to figures provided by the Police in Santiago.
Representatives of the Cibao Central Directorate of the National Police released the data, attributing part of the situation to actions taken against people wanted by the Justice system and to preventive operations carried out in different sectors of Santiago.
Fewer people are coming forward to report the incident
The Cibao Central Directorate of the National Police reported that between January and September 2025, it registered 7,382 complaints.
Departments responsible for receiving complaints from citizens have also noted a perceived reduction in crime.
A source from the Public Prosecutor’s Office, linked to the reception and processing of complaints, said that in recent weeks fewer people have come to report robberies, muggings, and other criminal acts than in previous months.
The source said this reduction has been particularly noticeable over the last two weeks, but clarified that various factors may influence the number of complaints received and that it does not necessarily reflect the total number of crimes committed.
Official figures show, in any case, a significant drop in complaints registered in Santiago during the period analyzed, while authorities maintain operations to locate people with arrest warrants and criminal records.
