Colombia’s Chief of National Police General Oscar Naranjo has said that while the homicide rate in Bogota has fallen, citizens still feel unsafe in their city due to incomplete public works, local media reported.
In March the homicide rate in the capital was the lowest it has been in seven years, however, the public perception of security in the city is still low due to the congestion of major roads in the city and the invasion of scaffolding in public spaces producing fear among the citizens, said Naranjo.
“The administration of Bogota is the victim of unfinished works,” he stated.
Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno responded by saying that while he acknowledged delays in the works are contributing to the public’s perception of safety, little by little completed works will be delivered, because, a city in construction, is a city with a future.
IGeneral Naranjo also highlighted the adverse security situation in Cali, the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, questioning the investment of over $10 million in a program to train civic and transit guards, while the army in Cali continues to operate with minimal resources.
However Cali Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina defended the program, saying the people of Cali need to have more social control over their security in order to make the city viable.