Isaac Deneb Castañeda Alcántara
Abstract
Effects of Violence Prevention Programs and Crime in Chihuahua State (Mexico) During the Period 2010-2013
In the last decade, mortality from violence, and particularly homicide, has increased in Mexico, which moved the country into the group of Latin American countries with highest rates of violence related deaths. This increase primordially strikes women (16 and 50 years) and men (16 and 60 years of age). Homicide rates differ geographically and are highest in areas related to drugs traffic and organized crime. Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua) with a rate of 55.9 murders per 100,000 (2012) has been listed as one of the most dangerous cities in the world and since 2010 the government, business and civil society have developed actions to reduce violence and crime, with strong public and private participation. Later (2012) the government began an unprecedented program (National Program of Social Prevention of Violence and Crime) focused on prevention. This program is multi-sectorial and operates in local demarcations with high rates of violence and crime. The aim is to recognize and characterize the effects of programs on violence prevention and crime implemented by the government and civil society in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua during 2010 to 2013. Data sources are from the national population census (source: INEGI) and the population intermediate count (source: CONAPO). Additionally, are consulted state and local databases with information on mortality, crime rate, high-impact crimes, theft and crime. Subsequently quantitative indicators are selected to observe their behavior over time and compared to other border cities. Preliminary results allow recognizing the effects of governmental and non-governmental activities to prevent violence and crime in Ciudad Juarez. Given the extent and the growth of the violence problem in Mexico during recent years, it is mandatory to identify measurement tools, useful in different regions. The indicators presented are useful to measure results in prevention of violence and crime from government programs and actions in most municipalities.