DRUGS, POLITICS FUEL SCANDALS IN PUERTO RICO

Why is this happening now? That's the big question about the recent
scandals coming out of Puerto Rico.

About 23 police officers were caught in a corruption, extortion and bribery
ring to protect drug dealers. Last week, a former secretary of education
was charged with extortion, theft and money laundering. At least two people
involved are from Orlando.

It's a shameful chapter for the island, one that has upset many people who
are calling for a change in Puerto Rico politics. In Central Florida, many
Puerto Ricans wish the headlines would go away.

"The Sentinel outdid itself again by portraying the seedy side of Puerto
Ricans on their front page," a reader wrote in an e-mail.

There are reasons why so many corruption cases are erupting now. First,
there's been a change in administration, and Gov. Sila Calderon is cleaning
house, as all new administrations do. The island's political structure also
has a lot to bear on the issue.

Puerto Rico, which is a United States' territory, is dominated by two
political parties. Calderon represents the Commonwealth Party, which favors
the island's existing political relationship with the United States. The
New Progressive Party wants Puerto Rico to be a state.

Island scuttlebutt is that the Commonwealth Party likes to run government,
while the NPP cares mostly about statehood.

Translated, when those who want statehood are in power they try to dampen
negative news about the island for fear that it will tarnish Puerto Rico's
image and the party's goal of making the island the 51st state. Corruption
investigations don't get top priority when the statehood-backers are in
office, while the Commonwealth Party has no such qualms.

Commonwealth advocates don't want to draw Puerto Rico any closer to the
United States than it already is.

In addition, Puerto Rico's concentration of power is a big problem.
Political power and the government purse is highly centralized in San Juan,
where every major department has a huge bureaucracy. Very little is decided
at the local level.

Essentially, the government behemoth in San Juan is accountable to no one,
making it a perfect breeding ground for corruption. That's why the two
political parties fight to the death to maintain power and access to the
public till.

The case of the education secretary is a clear example of the blurred line
between political party and public administration. It's a pity because the
island's education system oversees more than 600,000 students, many of whom
are poor.

The police officers' case also is an example of blurred lines and blurred
vision, but with a different twist.

Police scandals in Puerto Rico are not that uncommon because of officers'
low pay ($20,000/year) and, until not too long ago, low qualifications.

Police officers are tempted daily by the cocaine and heroin that flows
through the island from South America on its way to the United States.

Drug shipments have generated crime waves on the island, driving many
islanders to Orlando in search of peace and quiet. Previous administrations
have tried to expand the police force to fight crime, while also raising
standards. Obviously, the results have been mixed.

Islanders deserve better. Politics and drugs need to be cleaned up in
Puerto Rico. Until then, my e-mail friend can look forward to reading more
stories about corruption in Puerto Rico.