By Francisco Peyret
The recent violent events in the Guanajuato State did not bypass San Miguel de Allende. We have asked members of the community in general what proposals and ideas they have regarding the issue. All names have been withheld to protect those speaking out.
Here are some of the replies:
“Put access booths at the three main entrances to San Miguel de Allende where you show identification. We need a safe city! COVID has already taught us how to do it, and a safety program can be implemented.”
“More citizen participation to denounce wrongdoers. And more pressure on the judicial and legislative bodies so that perpetrators who are caught red-handed are not released from jail the next day.”
“I am always afraid of having to travel from Querétaro to SMA and back, especially at night.”
“I feel safe. Only the police are scary; at their checkpoints they are looking to extort money.”
“I feel safe in SMA. [My proposal is] that criminals be punished more severely to make an example of them and that they not be allowed to interact in society for two months.”
“Work using criminological situational diagnosis. Implement police operation, training, and administration under well-structured and evaluated plans and programs. Apply forensic sciences, such as criminology, criminalistics, etc. Maintain organization and coordination as the guiding axis. Apply crime prevention models in a transversal and synchronized manner. In short, there is a lot to do. It is a matter of allowing ourselves to be helped.”
“I don’t feel safe in SMA. I propose implementing public policies for crime prevention. Who eats a cake from the top? No one, which is why public policies are fundamental for prevention in the initial learning stage.”
“The media should be trained in security matters. Why? Because they bring an erroneous bias through their publications to the public, causing distrust in institutions. I say this because the majority of the media publish articles worded, “Linked to the crime of…” Society generally thinks that the person will be put in prison, but this really means there will be a formal investigation. However, if the proof is insufficient, useful, pertinent, and legal to go to trial or even to an intermediate stage in the process, then the perpetrator goes free . That causes frustration, confusion, and anger in society.”
“Meetings with heads of neighborhoods. It is time to come together to improve our safety, starting where we live.”
“Make good and safe choices where you live and how you live! Support Mayor Trejo’s security measures!”
“I propose that the citizens and residents of SMA demand clear accounts from the authorities. Let’s use transparency and access to the information portal, let’s ask, and if we don’t get an answer, we have to complain. SPREAD THE WORD!”
What are your proposals? Write us at editorial@atencionsanmiguel.org
