Senator proposes mediation pilot program for domestic & community disputes.

By THE STAR STAFF

District 4 (Mayagüez-Aguadilla) Sen. Karen Román Rodríguez introduced a measure this week to address, at its root, the problem of the rise in family conflicts, community disputes and emotional crises that escalate into violence.

The bill proposes creating a pilot program for mediation and spiritual support in police stations, integrating mediators and chaplains to intervene in situations before they escalate.

“The reality is that many cases don’t begin as crimes, but end up becoming so due to a lack of timely intervention,” the senator said. “That’s what we want to change.”

The initiative aims to resolve conflicts within couples, families, or communities through dialogue and mediation, reducing unnecessary arrests and preventing such conflicts from escalating into violence.

“If we intervene in time, we prevent violence and protect lives,” Román Rodríguez emphasized.

The program further seeks to alleviate the workload of law enforcement officers and strengthen the relationship between the police and the community.

The plan would be implemented in several municipalities as a pilot program, with the aim of expanding to the entire island if it proves successful.