Private security companies have not only found a business niche among citizens, but also the state, which annually disburses more than 1.688 million colones in hiring their services.
The Social Security Fund (CCSS), the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (ARESEP), the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), as well as National Training Institute (INA), the Costa Rican Oil Refinery (RECOPE), Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and the National Bank of Costa Rica (BNCR),are among the list of government entities that currently use private security services to take care of their facilities.
In the country, private security guards total 51,500+.
According to the top service providing companies training has also improved as well as compliance although many feel there is still a great deal to be done in both training and compliance procedures.
In some areas where state police forces are over stretched, private security is the only solution to crime prevention and deterrence.
In terms of the general public on the streets, in a TCRN survey everyone interviewed felt more security presence, private of state is welcome and helps in crime prevention, even unlicensed security guards which are prevalent on almost every block in every city in Costa Rica are welcome.
The Costa Rica news (TCRN)
San Jose Costa Rica
