A report released by Bogota’s Secretary of Government revealed the most dangerous streets in the Colombian capital.
The intersection of Avenida Boyaca on Calle 80 in the northwest of the city was found to be the densest criminal hotspot, with over 800 incidents reported at the location in 2013 alone, reported the national El Espectador newspaper. The hours between 6 and 11PM, in particular, were found to be the most dangerous.
The time frame proved significant for Bogota in general, as well, with 38% of all reported incidents occurring during those hours. Assaults, personal injuries, and car accidents were the most widely reported, according to El Espectador.
Carrera 10 on Calle 6 (753 cases reported), Avenida 45 on Calle 170 (703), Avenida 72 on Calle 13 (436), and Avenida 14 on Calle 13 (395) were among those areas with the highest incidence of theft.
Bogota’s crime hotspots
“At this time, we’re implemented a special police system against theft; the idea is for a special group to attend to theft alerts immediately,” said Jonathan Nieto, the sub-secretary of cohabitation and security for the city, according to El Espectador.
According to Nieto, the zones where most incidents of theft occur are those with high influxes of people and limited light, which criminals use to their advantage. With that in mind, the city’s plan includes the installation of artificial light sources in poorly lit areas.
The plan, set to be implemented within the month, according to the sub-secretary, would also install camera surveillance connected to emergency call centers in the most affected districts, with the hope of reducing response times.
Edilberto Guerrero, the mayor of the downtown Bogota area, La Candelaria, that hosts the prestigious University of the Andes, said student centers also attract crime.
Preventive measures against stealing children
One of the key strategies for the city will be preventing youths within the 10-12 age range from entering into criminal activities. The idea, said the sub-secretary, is to offer these children, who often serve as pitpockets or stick-up thieves in criminal rings, an alternatives to crime.
Sports and the arts will be the major focuses, with four public houses of culture being established to mitigate social segregation, Mayor Guerrero stated.
Overall crime in the capital seems to be declining. Information presented by the government indicates that reported crimes have decreased by 69% from 2013 to 2014. Thefts have gone down by 57% in the same period, with fights decreasing by 60%, and narcotics-related complaints by 90%.
Sources
- Las calles más peligrosas de Bogotá (El Espectador)