To minimize the crime rate, the Ministry of Public Security launched on Wednesday a new security strategy called Safe Costa Rica 2023-2030 National Public Security Plan.

The initiative aims to reduce the murder rate per 100,000 people to 9.5 by 2030. The rate in 2022 was 12.6, with 567 murders registered that year.

According to Judicial Investigation Organization figures, 824 murders have been recorded so far this year, exceeding the previous year's total by 257 crimes.

The new public security strategy envisions a major increase in police measures in four areas: crime prevention, lowering daily crime, reducing organized crime and drug trafficking, and strengthening the nation's defense.

 

"It is a route that integrates the actions of all police forces, which previously (this plan) they worked independently," said Mario Zamora, minister of security.

As part of the plan, the government would hire 650 more police officers in 2024 and another 650 in 2025.

Furthermore, additional scanners will be placed to check all cargo container shipments entering and leaving the nation via all border control ports in both land and sea facilities.

In October, President Rodrigo Chaves and the Security Council reached an agreement to move forward with the approval of various reforms to reduce crime.

 

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