Introduction
The studies below show that public safety in Mexico is at risk for a number of different reasons. The issues include drug violence, police corruption and the government’s inability to keep citizens safe. We found that constant violence, and the fighting between gangs and the government, endangers the lives and well beings of Mexican families and children. In terms of accountability of the powerful police system, studies have placed the lack of public safety in the hands of political agendas and poorly informed civilians. These sources seek to expose the state’s lack of maintaining public safety in Mexico. This leads to constant fear in the civilians and a call for more attention to public safety.
“Spiralling Drug Violence in Mexico.” Strategic Comments, vol. 14, no. 8, 2008, pp. 1–2.
In “Spiralling drug violence in Mexico”, the authors show the seriousness of drugrelated violence in Mexico. It has led to the deaths of many people across the country, including innocent civilians and even police officers (1). Police either die at the hands of drug violence or are themselves involved in drug trafficking, creating an ineffective police system (1). The government has tried to fix this police corruption along with drug related violence, but they have failed to succeed (2). In fact, the authors reveal how the government’s use of the military to fight against drug gangs has made the situation even more violent (2). The efforts of the authorities to try and combat drug violence have actually put more people’s lives at risk. While the problem is recognized, the government and police are unable to stop the ongoing drug issue. Violence and death keep being spread across Mexico, endangering many more innocent, helpless citizens.
Hernandez, Alma A, and Sara E Grineski. “Disrupted by Violence: Children’s Well- Being and Families’ Economic, Social, and Cultural Capital in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.” Pan-American Journal of Public Health, 2 Feb. 2012.
Hernandez and Grineski interviewed sixteen parents to learn how violence and crime affect children’s well being in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Ciudad Juarez is a city that has been ridden with poverty and drug-related violence. Hernandez and Grineski studied how violence in the city affects children’s wellbeing economically, socially, and culturally. Hernandez and Grineski found that increased violence in the city makes it harder for parents to find and keep stable jobs, and to make enough money to support their children. Socially, the violence makes it difficult for families and children to connect with friends and extended-family, because people don’t feel safe outside their home. As a result, children grow up without strong social connections other than immediate family. The violence also makes it harder for children to attend school and other activities like sports, making children less culturally involved. Researchers concluded that the government should take action to reduce violence, and called for attention to children’s wellbeing.
Herrera-Lasso, Luis. “Violence and Insecurity in Mexico: Guidelines for a New Strategy on Public Safety.” Latin American Policy, vol. 4, no. 2, 2013, pp. 285–305., doi:10.1111/lamp.12021.
Luis Herrera conducted research that showed violence in Mexico has greatly increased over the years with an average federal crime rate of 74.7%. There has been an increase in four out of the five most violent crimes. Luis and his team concluded that these increases in violence are due to the justice system being too lenient and handing over impunity; exemption from punishment and being granted freedom from any consequences. This causes the rate of crimes to increase due to the fact that people are aware that their actions will go mostly unnoticed. Oftentimes in these cases, figures of authority are quite willing to take bribes from the felons in exchange for their freedom. Luis’ studies have shown that only 6% agreed that judges do their job well. If Mexico’s justice system will easily look at crimes and brush it past them then this shows that the public safety is at risk. Luis’s research shows that it does not create a safe environment for the people living in Mexico and those being forced back into the country.
Sánchez, Rubén G., and Alejandro E. Guerra. “External Police Oversight in Mexico: Experiences, Challenges, and Lessons Learned.” Stability: International Journal of Security & Development, vol. 3, no. 1, 2014.
This article, written by Rubén Guzmán-Sánchez and Alejandro Espriú-Guerra, points to the fact that after multiple reform attempts, the police system in Mexico has ultimately been deemed ineffective. Many cases of corruption have emerged, including criminal activity and hindered justice systems, as accountability becomes a prominent issue in Mexico. Transparency not only meant ‘taking responsibility’ for the citizens of Mexico but also the subordination of the authorities that had abused their power. Civilian oversight is still at a primary stage due to a resistance towards accountability that continues within state institutions but also a society that is poorly informed and uninterested (6). In response, politically active civilians have formed academic and activist groups to advance accountability, institutional strengthening, and human rights. The key to liability is designing a detailed strategic plan outlining short, medium, and long term- goals, both for the civilians and those in a higher power to be put in action
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