~ by Freddy Miranda Castro
Every holiday and weekend, after 4 pm, Costa Rica is in the safe hands of three important institutions: police department, fire fighters, and red cross. The police force includes 12,000 individuals distributed in groups of 4.000 on each turn. It could be said there is one police officer for every 1,250 citizens. This average is inadequate in a society where insecurity is rising due to internal and external variables such as financial crisis, drug dealing, and organized crime.
Prevention
The reduction in foreign investment and in our exports, are generating unemployment and poverty. Additionally, the fiscal deficit limits the growth of positions and reduces the police department’s budget, creating a grim picture for the future of public safety.
This situation provides very few alternatives for employment and generation of income among the young population, making it quite easy to increase conflict with law enforcement. Specifically in a society driven by the belief that high spending and ostentation are keys of success. One of the best ways to build safety and social harmony is investing in preventive measures by opening alternative income opportunities, education, and personal growth.
This is the main focus of the project ‘Undertaking a life without violence,’ targeting young people between 17 and 25 years of age, wanting to overcome the conflictive family dynamics affecting their lives. Emotional support, guardianship, and entrepreneurial training are its tools. It is a pilot program destined to build a model for pro-activeness in this specific young population. It will start in Osa and Quepos.
The institutions involved are: police department, municipalities, families and development associations, and other related ministries. When the project proves to be successful, it will be implemented country-wide.
*Freddy Miranda Castro is National Coordinator of the ‘Safety and Violence Prevention Project’ MSP-UNDP.
