Today’s crime rates in Latin America make it the most violent region in the world. Deteriorating security conditions across the region and equally pervasive perceptions of insecurity have contributed to the widespread belief that governments are only taking blind stabs at the problem and that nothing attempted to date has shown results. The view is that the situation has only become more unmanageable.
A new study by Carlos Basombrío, consulting director of the Latin American Program’s project on citizen security, provides an overview of public policies adopted over the last two decades in Latin America to address crime and its multiple consequences. The book, ¿Que Hemos Hecho? (What Have We Accomplished?), discusses a range of strategies—not always complementary, frequently contradictory, and at times counterproductive—ranging from mano dura (iron fist) to vigilantism, the privatization of security, and the strengthening, reform, and modernization of the police. The book also explores violence prevention policies, initiatives by both local governments and civil society, efforts to improve information systems, and the role of international assistance. The book highlights the extent to which crime-fighting efforts across Latin America have been complicated by a number of factors: the diversity of actors involved in crime; insufficient sustainability and continuity; a general lack of understanding, knowledge, and experience; limits in the measurement and evaluation of results; the paucity of success stories; and new trends such as the growth of organized crime in the region.
The book concludes that one of the most significant challenges to successful citizen security policies “is the contradiction between public pressure for immediate results and the time that policies need to mature and show consistent results.” SEE MORE…
Archivado en: América Latina, Coordinación interinstitucional, Crimen organizado, Encuestas / estadísticas / índices de victimización, Gobierno nacional, Homicidios, Leyes más duras, Ministerios de seguridad, Organizaciones de sociedad civil, Percepción de inseguridad, Políticas de seguridad, Policías, Prevención, Recursos, equipamiento e infraestructura, Reforma y modernización policial, Tráfico de drogas, Victimización, Violencia familiar y contra la mujer | Etiquetado: América Latina, crimen organizado, delincuencia, delitos, inseguridad, seguridad ciudadana, seguridad pública | Deja un Comentario »
