MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

A majority of Montevideo residents (71%) feel the city is not safe

Street muggings and drug consumption by youngsters to of the list

A majority of Uruguay’s capital Montevideo residents (71%) feel the city is not safe and fear “mugging in the streets” and “young people consuming ‘pasta base’” (a cheap by-product of cocaine). They are also unsatisfied with the city’s transport system.

These are the most significant results of a public opinion poll which was carried out last April, involving 503 residents and sponsored by several non government neighbours organizations, Montevideo’s ombudsman, the Catholic University and the Chamber of Commerce and Services

The poll, published in El Pais Sunday’s edition, showed that insecurity is by far the main concern of Montevideo residents, followed by “the lack of proper facilities for handicapped”, social inequality and lack of job opportunities for people over fifty.

On the positive side Montevideo residents are satisfied with education, health services and digital inclusion.

The main objections to the Montevideo transport system are its “poor quality”, delays in bus stops, rates and the non compliance with timetables. However they are satisfied with the number of lines and the closeness of bus stops to their homes.

As to the performance of the Montevideo city government, 42% of residents consider it “good”, only 5% “very good” while for 35% it is “acceptable” The remaining 18% are divided between “bad” and “very bad”.

Montevideo residents have very little confidence in transit inspectors (31%); political parties (37%); the Government Institute responsible for minors committing crimes (43%) and the Judiciary branch, (47%).

At the other extreme Montevideo residents are most satisfied with the government’s schooling system (91%); the Fire Department (91%); high schools (88%); the government financed University (87%); the health system (84%) and strangely enough bus companies (80%).

But insecurity remains the main obsession for 71% of residents who consider “the city is not safe to live in” of which 54% say it is “relatively safe” and 17% decisively “non secure”. This feeling increases in areas of medium and lower income.

As to the list of fears to physical security, top ranked is street mugging, 57%, followed by the “overall violence” that has taken over the community, youngsters consuming drugs 33%, robbers breaking into homes and drug trafficking. There was also 9% who said they “have no fears”.

The 503 interviews included 53% women and 47% men; 34% were over 29 years of age and 24%, 60 or over.