Puerto Rico News Digest For June 3, 2015

POLICE FACING $100 MILLION IN CUTS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Although public safety is a priority for residents of Puerto Rico, the island
government is cutting $101.4 million from the Police Department as part of
budget reductions. The budget for the Police  is being reduced from $853.9
million to $752.5 million in the next  fiscal year. Police Chief José Caldero,
nonetheless, appeared not  to be concerned about the cuts, which do not aff-
ect payroll. The information came out during House budget hearings Monday.
The cuts take place as the Police Department is being required by federal offi-
cials to undergo reform.

PIERLUISI AGAINST POWER RATE INCREASES

From Caribbean Business:

Resident Commissioner President Pedro Pierluisi said Tuesday that the
solution to the crisis of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa)
"is not a rate increase,” adding that the expense incurred with Chief Res-
tructuring Officer Lisa Donahue's company are unnecessary. "There was no
need to spend more than $10 million to have them tell us what to do. We
have known what to do for years, and what has been lacking is the will to
do so," the also New Progressive Party (NPP) president said. Pierluisi added
that the electricity rate paid in Puerto Rico "is one of the highest in the
hemisphere"; therefore, "the solution to [Prepa's] problems is not a rate
increase."

CARJACKING SUSPECT CAUGHT IN PUERTO RICO

From Cleveland.com: 

A man wanted in connection with a 2014 carjacking that left a father of two
dead has been arrested by U.S. Marshals in Puerto Rico, law enforcement offi-
cials said. Anthony Cruz Rivera was taken into custody Friday in Naguabo, P.R.
He is awaiting extradition to Cleveland, where he will face homicide charges,
according to a news release from federal marshals. Investigators believe Cruz
Rivera was involved in a July 11, 2014, carjacking on the 3100 block of West
46th Street in Cleveland.

MEET PUERTO RICO UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE

From News Is My Business:

Looking to educate and raise awareness of the importance of Puerto Rico’s Tou-
rism’s meetings and conventions sector, which drives the local economy genera-
ting $100 million annually in direct visitor spending, Meet Puerto Rico has
created and unveiled the muevetuisla.com website. The organization, also known
as the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, seeks to get visitors to the website to
learn of its work and accomplishments on behalf of the meetings and conventions
industry everyday, as well as information about the organization, said Meet
Puerto Rico CEO Milton Segarra.