Costa Rican police have noted a significant drop in thefts and break-ins in the popular Central Pacific tourist region during the first two months of 2017.

Police are attributing the decline to changes in their policing which includes strengthened preventive actions and greater cooperation with other regional agencies, said the Public Security Ministry.

Thefts decreased by 66 cases in January and February compared to the same time frame in 2016, and there were 31 fewer home break-ins reported, and 8 fewer assaults as well, according to data from the Ministry’s Regional Puntarenas Office.

Changes in police operations include developing criminal profiles and crime patterns by studying locations and other aspects of crimes, as well as gathering input from local residents and opening communication channels for local residents to report suspicious activity, said Commissioner Juan Carlos Arias, Regional Central Pacific Police Director.

The biggest declines in house break-ins were seen in the communities of Paquera, Cóbano and Lepanto on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula across the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas.

Quepos and Garabito counties, home to Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Herradura and other Central Pacific beaches, also saw declines in thefts and break-ins.

In Puntarenas so far this year, at least 1047 people have been arrested in connection with various crimes, and 20 illegal firearms have been seized, which further aids in decreasing crime in the region, said the regional police office.

Commissioner Arias also noted that greater cooperation and joint operations with other authorities has allowed for seizing weapons and drugs from the streets, and locating subjects who are wanted for outstanding crimes or have pending lawsuits.