Digital Library

This paper is the first to conduct a systematic analysis in different countries of the region to identify cities where there have been improvements in crime records that allow for rigorous analysis of crime and place. The main objective is to understand recent crime concentration and hot spot dynamics in the selected cities to better inform crime prevention and reduction strategies in the region and thus promote evidence-based public safety policies. It is of particular interest to see if the patterns are comparable with those of other developed cities and thus if their policing strategies could be adopted.

This document provides an in-depth analysis of the state of the art in citizen security research, not only to identify critical knowledge gaps in the literature—ones that the IDB will endeavor to close over the next few years—but also to contribute to the dissemination of evidence-based crime reduction and prevention strategies, providing a solid starting point to take stock of what we know and what the priorities for future research should be.

A mix of social policy and crime prevention programs is often proposed to keep crime rates low. Although the association between general social programs and specific programs to fight crime is unclear, this type of social intervention is commonly associated with a reduction in crime. This paper examines the causal link between social policy and crime prevention programs by evaluating previously adopted crime prevention programs in Minas Gerais.  

This year’s Report on Economics and Development (RED) proposes an approach for the analysis of insecurity in which crime results from decisions made by individuals in a particular situation. While it is true that beliefs, perceptions, self-control, and other personality traits (in turn shaped by family experiences, education level, job opportunities, and other experiences throughout the life cycle) can tip an individual into crime, his physical and social environment, the incentives provided by illegal markets (e.g., drugs), and the credibility and efficiency of the criminal justice system are also important. 

Este proyecto es fruto de una larga e intensa colaboración entre el Centro Internacional para la Prevención de la Criminalidad (CIPC) y la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá relacionada específicamente con el tema de la prevención del delito. En particular, el CIPC ha colaborado con la dirección de seguridad ciudadana y empresarial de la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá brindado su experticia para el mejoramiento de los programas y estrategias en materia de prevención de la criminalidad desde una perspectiva internacional creando herramientas e insumos. En enero de 2015, las dos organizaciones formalizaron un acuerdo de colaboración que tiene como objetivo realizar un seguimiento con estándares internacionales de las acciones, programas y estrategias de la Dirección de Seguridad de la Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá y proveer de insumos técnicos, documentales y de formación a dicha organización. En ese sentido, el documento aquí presentado se constituye como un avance en los insumos previos de búsqueda de mejores y más eficientes prácticas y estrategias en materia de prevención del delito que pueda alimentar a la Cámara de Comercio en el diseño de sus estrategias y programas de seguridad en el largo plazo.