Combating crime in Central America—a major obstacle for regional development
United States of America (Press Release) December 6, 2007 --
MIAMI,- Combating crime in Central America—a major obstacle for regional development—should be accomplished through government-directed security strategies and the active participation of the private sector and citizenry, analysts said during the 31st Caribbean-Central American Action Conference (CCAA), concluding today in this city.
“This is about emphasizing prevention and control—instead of merely applying an iron hand—through the implementation of programs that involve training and education of community-based police groups, as well as strengthening law enforcement systems to foster respect for human rights,” said Diana Pardo, an analyst from Newlink Political consulting firm.
Pardo was a speaker at the forum on violence and crime, which took place today within the framework of the CCAA's annual meeting that brought together over 600 leaders and business executives from Central America, the Caribbean and the United States, with the goal of analyzing and developing the best strategies to boost progress and growth in this region.
According to Pardo, the key to crime prevention is not increasing the number of agents working the street beat, but rather in the quality of their patrolling activities.
“The community widely rejects the image of a repressive policeman—one who, instead of respect, inspires fear. The goal is, therefore, to train officers who will become involved in their communities, get close to citizens, and earn their neighbors’ trust,” added Pardo.
Similarly, the expert believes that preventative policies are more effective than punitive policies in the case of gangs, which are afflicting in the region.
“Educational programs are more effective in the long run when it come to the social recovery of gang members. Unfortunately, the region invests five times more in repressive measures than it does in educational or preventive strategies focused on rescuing these young people, derelicts of society.”
Meanwhile, Susan Kaufman Purcell, director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami, said during the forum that violence and crime are factors that have “a negative impact on investments, since multinational companies rather seek out nations with more peaceful environments, where their staff can feel safer.”
According to the World Bank’s most recent research from its 2005 World Development Report, lack of safety is a serious obstacle to investments. In Latin America, over 50 percent of companies surveyed believe that crime hinders conducting good business, while in Central America crime and corruption emerged as the main problems against attracting new investments.
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“This is about emphasizing prevention and control—instead of merely applying an iron hand—through the implementation of programs that involve training and education of community-based police groups, as well as strengthening law enforcement systems to foster respect for human rights,” said Diana Pardo, an analyst from Newlink Political consulting firm.
Pardo was a speaker at the forum on violence and crime, which took place today within the framework of the CCAA's annual meeting that brought together over 600 leaders and business executives from Central America, the Caribbean and the United States, with the goal of analyzing and developing the best strategies to boost progress and growth in this region.
According to Pardo, the key to crime prevention is not increasing the number of agents working the street beat, but rather in the quality of their patrolling activities.
“The community widely rejects the image of a repressive policeman—one who, instead of respect, inspires fear. The goal is, therefore, to train officers who will become involved in their communities, get close to citizens, and earn their neighbors’ trust,” added Pardo.
Similarly, the expert believes that preventative policies are more effective than punitive policies in the case of gangs, which are afflicting in the region.
“Educational programs are more effective in the long run when it come to the social recovery of gang members. Unfortunately, the region invests five times more in repressive measures than it does in educational or preventive strategies focused on rescuing these young people, derelicts of society.”
Meanwhile, Susan Kaufman Purcell, director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami, said during the forum that violence and crime are factors that have “a negative impact on investments, since multinational companies rather seek out nations with more peaceful environments, where their staff can feel safer.”
According to the World Bank’s most recent research from its 2005 World Development Report, lack of safety is a serious obstacle to investments. In Latin America, over 50 percent of companies surveyed believe that crime hinders conducting good business, while in Central America crime and corruption emerged as the main problems against attracting new investments.
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