There were significantly fewer murders in Costa Rica in 2011 than in the year before as anti crime efforts implemented in 2010 and 2011 are now being reflected in the statistics.
There were 474 when there was a total of 527. Increased spending in law enforcement training, equipment and international joint efforts are now starting to pay off.
Narcotics are the primary cause of violent crime in Costa Rica, and again international cooperation efforts have and will continue to be reflected in crime statistics.
The Government of Costa Rica (GOCR) closely and effectively cooperates with the USG in combating narcotics trafficked by land, sea, and air.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security (MPS) initiated several new security strategies in 2009. Included among them were a new community policing program, developing a national security policy that is currently in the government of Costa Rica inter-agency clearance process, and several special strategies to combat crime.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security (MPS) initiated several new security strategies in 2009. Included among them were a new community policing program, developing a national security policy that is currently in the GOCR interagency clearance process, and several special strategies to combat crime. These special strategies include an increased police presence in the province of Limon, long known for narcotics smuggling activity as well as the highest murder rate in the country. MPS has also increased the length of recruit police training from three months to six months. Also, MPS is planning to install a Closed Circuit TV system with 300 cameras in the San Jose area to target criminal activities and transmit intelligence information in real time. [United States Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs]
Costa Rica and Panama are showing a downward trend in crime, while Nicaragua is showing an upward trend.
Costa Rica is projected to continue to be a leader Central America in safety and security, as the government continues to enhance its efforts at local and international levels.
