Costa Rica remains peaceful in fight against crime
Costa Rica has been a beacon of peace in a conflict- and crime-ridden region since the abolition of its armed forces in 1948, yet a rise in violent crime in recent years has pressured the government to develop innovative and effective security strategies in order to retain the country’s peaceful image.
In early December, Costa Ricans celebrated the 70th anniversary of an armyless state. Since abolition, the country has experienced economic growth at a rate far above the regional average, with the GDP per capita tripling since 1960.
Despite having traditionally suffered far less from the organized crime-related issues that plague many of its neighbors, murder rates in Costa Rica have risen steadily since 2013. Homicide rates hit a record high last year and 2018 may prove deadlier yet, with an estimated death toll of 625.
The Costa Rican government has sought help from other countries in the region to combat the alarming rise in crime rates.
President Carlos Alvarado has recently implemented a new security strategy, based on a public security program which has proved successful in the Colombian city of Medellín. The United States government has invested $7.5 million in the plan.
In effect since September, “Creating Security” (Sembremos Seguridad) focuses on citizen participation to identify the most pressing security concerns in each of the country’s 82 administrative divisions. The national government will then collaborate with local forces to provide social investment or undertake police action to tackle the flagged issues.
Read the full article on InSight Crime