MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Crime record year for Chile.

According to Chilean Ministry of Interior statistics, in 2003 the country experienced the highest expansion of crime activities in the country since 1997, when the annual official report was first published.

The number of reported crimes increased 19,65% compared to 2002, far above the statistical average annual growth of 11%, with a particularly disturbing increase in the number of violence related crimes which jumped 46,55%.

The crime statistics release has shocked Chilean public opinion and opposition Congressman from the Law and Order Committee, Nicolás Monckeberg said the 20% increase was "a record", indicating that "2003 was the great year for delinquency".

Mr. Monckenberg also pointed out that in seven of the twelve regions of Chile, crime rates are superior or equal to those of metropolitan Santiago. And regarding Santiago itself robberies involving violence ballooned 35%, "well above New York in 1994 before the "Zero Tolerance" policy was implemented".

Deputy Minister of Interior Jorge Correa admitted that particularly in the second quarter of 2003, "the country experienced an exceptional increase in crime activities", but in the following quarters "they stabilized" with just 0,18% increase.

Gonzalo Vargas a crime expert, belonging to the organization Fundación Paz Ciudadana (Citizens peace foundation) coincides that the greatest concentration of criminal activity was in the first half of 2003, and compared to 2002 "shows a very negative evolution". However Mr. Vargas admits his surprise with the bodily injuries and rape statistics of the fourth quarter of 2003, which were mostly stable during the year but jumped 23% in the last quarter.

Similarly with crimes involving violence which show a 38% increase, the fastest single growing crime.

Another disturbing fact shows that crime in the north of Chile has begun to expand at a faster rate that in the metropolitan area with a population of over six million. For example in Region One, Tarapaca, the number of crimes per 100,000 population increased 47,32% in 2003 compared to 2002.

The release of the statistics caused a serious rift in President Ricardo Lagos administration since several high officials said that the announcement caused "alarm among the population", forgetting to mention that "following a difficult first half, in the second half of 2003 crime rates stabilized", plus ignoring the fact that the number of Carabineros (Police force) is to be increased 8% annually until reaching 40,000 in 2006.

"By then we'll be in the international accepted standard of one policeman per 400 population", said Minister of Interior Jose Miguel Insulza.

Recent public opinion surveys contracted by the Chilean Ministry of Interior that 70% of Chileans believe the number of Carabineros in their neighbourhood is insufficient or inexistent. However overall Chileans have a positive opinion and respect the Carabineros force.