MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

P Arenas safest city but minors' drinking major problem

Punta Arenas is the safest city in Chile but it has an important drawback which is minors' alcohol consumption, admitted the Carabineros regional chief Mayor Humberto Riffo during the presentation of the annual report to local authorities.

The 2007 report points out that in Magallanes Region, and more precisely in Punta Arenas the Prevention Security Quadrant plan has proved very efficient in bringing down crime and even more important in restoring citizens' trust in the Carabineros. The Plan incorporated 202 police members on the beat plus 35 patrol cars. However he mentioned that the "victimization" index, particularly non filing claims remains an area where "much more needs to be done". But according to Mayor Riffo, quadrant delegates' closer contact with neighbors is helping to overcome the challenge and convince victims to file complaints. Nevertheless alcohol consumption by minors, 14 to 17 years, remains one of the most vulnerable areas and the Carabineros chief appealed to the involvement of parents and the schooling system. According to Punta Arenas statistics the level of "victimization" is in the range of 18.7%, and punishes mostly women, 51.6%. The most common age is between 18 and 27 year olds both for women (29.6%) and men (30.9%). Regarding criminals, 1.090 arrests were registered in 2007, of which 99.7% local residents. The highest number of crimes was committed in urban Punta Arenas (mostly downtown) involving theft, robbery and injuries. The incidence of violence is particularly intense on Sunday early morning (03:00 to 05:00 in the morning) when most discos close doors. In downtown also on Saturday early mornings, 04:00 to 07:00 is when most violent robberies are committed. The phenomenon is also common in the areas close to downtown between 20:00 and 23:00 hours Saturdays and Sundays. "The only way to counter this is for closer interaction with the community, strengthening the neighbors support net. This means greater participation, reporting crimes and filing all complaints, for which mutual trust plays and essential role", concluded Mayor Riffo.