Electronic monitoring and hotspot policing - Rafael DiTella

Among the public policies that have positive results in Latin America to lower the crime rates in the continent is the so called hotsopt policing. It focuses on problem areas in the cities, which is good to dissuade criminals and, according to Rafael Di Tella, a teacher from Harvard University, "it provides an increase in the feeling of security in the area, and crimes decrease".   

Investment in jail infrastructure is another way to reduce delinquency. Improving jails is an improvement in the conditions in which inmates live, and that lowers the probability that they commit a crime again. "Currently, we send people to jail and there they learn to commit more crimes".  

In addition to improving jails, Di Tella proposes investment in electronic monitoring, a system thought for first offenders. "It is cheaper, it avoids the stigma of going to prison, and it is more just". He assures that a person who is monitored reduces by half the possibilities of committing a crime again compared with someone who went to jail. 

Another measure that helps reduce crime is to create unemployment insurance for those who get out of prison. "Their personal economies are deteriorated, they have family problems, and no possibilities of entering the labor market, so they are particularly vulnerable to feeling forced to commit crimes". This insurance would give them some time until they can find a job that gives them stability. 

On the governmental side, Di Tella proposes better communication, not politicizing the subject of security, and improve cooperation to reduce the crime levels in Latin America.

Other findings related to the subject of security in Latin America can be found in CAF's Reporte de Economía y Desarrollo (Economy and Development Report).