By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

In the amphitheater of the municipality of Cartago*, the government presented the first results of the Sowing Security (Sembremos Seguridad in Spanish) program and declared this program to be of national interest.

The Sowing Security program is a crime prevention strategy that was announced a year ago.

The activity was attended by President Carlos Alvarado, Public Security Minister Michael Soto, United States Ambassador Sharon Gray, Colombian Ambassador Angelino Garzón, among other authorities.

"The governments of the United States and Colombia have given strong support in the last year to the security prevention program," said the government in its statement.

On the anniversary of the program, President Alvarado signed the decree declaring national interest for the program which improves the coordination between public institutions to identify criminal organizations.

The crime prevention program was developed in communities such as Desamparados, Pavas, La Uruca, Cristo Rey, Tibás, Alajuelita, Montes de Oca, Moravia, Curridabat, Mora, Santa Ana, Belén, Cartago, Quepos, and Pococí, among others.

According to government statistics, the first level of the program was the survey of 5,000 people and 3,447 interviews with people on security issues.

The result of the information collected during the first effort has allowed the identification of a total of 970 factors that affect security in the communities.

According to President Alvarado, communication of authorities with citizens is important to pinpoint the causes of problems and to develop a strategy for bringing attention to those problems.

The main results of the program are:

- A security commission was created in the city of Desamparados.

- In the city of Curridabat, a commission was created for the prevention of violence and another commission for the promotion of peace.

- In the city of Alajuelita, a Youth House was created that helps people get jobs.

- In places like Tibás, Montes de Oca, Cristo Rey, Hatillo, La Uruca, and Pavas there was an investment to improve public areas such as parks, so  residents can use them safely.

The Ministry of Security will continue with the development of this program in communities.