Crime in Peru today: challenges and prospects

Crime is a problem that affects all countries, but in Peru it has become one of the main concerns of citizens. In recent years, organized crime has experienced significant growth, especially on the northern coast of the country.

What are the causes of crime in Peru?

There are several causes that explain the increase in crime in Peru. Some of the most important are:

• Unplanned urbanization: The rapid growth of cities has generated conditions of overcrowding and poverty that favor crime.
• High population of vulnerable youth: The young population in Peru represents a significant percentage of the total population. Many of these young people lack educational and employment opportunities, which makes them more likely to engage in criminal activities.
• The perfect storm paradox: This phenomenon combines healthy growth rates and improved social indicators with high levels of crime and violence. In Peru, this phenomenon has been observed on the northern coast, where economic growth has generated economic opportunities, but has also widened social inequalities.

What measures are being taken to combat crime?

The Peruvian state has implemented a series of measures to combat crime, including:

• Mega-operations: The Peruvian government has carried out a series of police operations to dismantle criminal organizations.
• Strengthening the police: The government has invested in strengthening the police, with the aim of improving its ability to combat crime.
• Reform of the judicial system: The government has initiated a reform of the judicial system, with the aim of improving the efficiency and transparency of justice.

Are these measures sufficient?

The measures that are being taken to combat crime are important, but they are not enough. It is necessary to implement comprehensive solutions that address the structural causes of crime.

What comprehensive solutions can be implemented?

Some of the comprehensive solutions that can be implemented to combat crime in Peru include:

• Social prevention: Working with parents, communities, and schools to promote the development of technical and socio-cognitive skills that offer young people alternative development opportunities to crime.
• Community policing: Encouraging community participation in the identification and resolution of local security problems.
• Improvements in the justice system: Strengthening the capacity of the courts to quickly process criminals and ensure justice for victims.
• Improvements in institutional coordination: Aligning the actions of the different government sectors towards a single goal: the reduction of crime and violence.

Conclusions

Crime is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach among the different actors and sectors of society. Addressing this challenge is essential to ensure the security and well-being of all citizens in Peru.

Some specific proposals for the implementation of comprehensive solutions

Based on the comprehensive solutions that have been mentioned, some specific measures can be proposed for their implementation in Peru:

In the field of social prevention:

• Implement job training and entrepreneurship programs for vulnerable young people.
• Strengthen values and citizenship education in schools.
• Promote youth participation in sports and cultural activities.

In the field of community policing:

• Establish neighborhood security councils in all districts of the country.
• Strengthen the training of police officers in prevention and conflict resolution.

In the field of the justice system:

• Speed up judicial processes to reduce impunity times.
• Strengthen the capacity of the courts to ensure reparation to victims.

In the field of institutional coordination:

• Establish a national citizen security plan that integrates the actions of the different government sectors.
• Strengthen coordination between local, regional, and national governments.

References:

Crimen organizado en Perú: crecimiento y expansión del fenómeno extorsivo a nivel nacional - Real Instituto Elcano. (2021, 11 noviembre). Real Instituto Elcano. 

https://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/analisis/crimen-organizado-en-peru-crecimiento-y-expansion-del-fenomeno-extorsivo-a-nivel-nacional/

Alvarado, N. (2019, 16 abril). Por qué tanto crimen en América Latina: La paradoja de la tormenta perfecta. Seguridad Ciudadana.

 https://blogs.iadb.org/seguridad-ciudadana/es/por-que-tanto-crimen-en-america-latina-la-paradoja-de-la-tormenta-perfecta/

Alvarado, N. (2019a, abril 5). 5 elementos esenciales para reducir la inseguridad desde lo local. Seguridad Ciudadana. 

https://blogs.iadb.org/seguridad-ciudadana/es/elementos-para-reducir-la-inseguridad/