The “Comprehensive Prevention Strategy for Public Security, Let’s Sow Security” decree was signed today; the initiative is declared of national and pubic interest and will start applying on September 1st in the 82 counties of Costa Rica.

This plan has the support of the American Embassy in Costa Rica and Colombia’s National Police, a test trial was executed las year in 15 counties (Moravia, Tibás, Alajuelita, Belén, Alajuela, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazú, Goicoechea, La Unión, Montes de Oca, Mora, Quepos, Santa Ana and San José).

Personnel of the Ministry of Public Security has received training from Colombian National Police to implement this new strategy in each of the counties.

The US Embassy has invested $75 million since the beginning of the test trial used in the purchase of software, Google Maps licenses, computer equipment and now the implementation of of “Let’s Sow Security”. This tool was used in the city of Medellin, Colombia with great success in the strengthening of public security.

“The United States Embassy is proud to support President’s Alvarado new community security efforts, including through facilitating a group of experts from the Colombian National Police now working closely with Minister Soto and the entire security services. After months of hard work, we want to congratulate Costa Rica for launching this new assessment tool and for your larger collaborative community security strategy. I know this approach working closely together with all communities will bring impressive results”, stated Sharon Day, United States Ambassador to Costa Rica. “A Government’s first duty and its highest obligation is public safety”.

“The involvement of the members of the community and the local governments allow us to learn in depth of the needs of each county in terms of security and comply with the institutional work in these territories”, stated President Alvarado, who also mentioned that he expects the country will see the results of this initiative in a year time.

Luis Solano, Vice-Minister of Security, explained that the tool used includes the involvement of specialized personnel that together with members of the local government makes a diagnose using statistical variables and scientific methodology and supported by the perspective of the local government to identify the factors that are affecting the security of the country, the analysis also offers a route of action.

“We must understand that security is not an exclusive concern of the Ministry of Public Security, it also requires the involvement of social institutions of the executive branch and the Municipalities”, commented Solano.