Ecuador: Homicides down, increase in home invasions

telesurtv.net reported President Rafael Correa announced a drop in serious crimes, attributed to the investments in policing and the justice system. Ecuador achieved in 2015 the lowest homicide rate in 15 years, Interior Minister Jose Serrano announced Saturday. Ecuador recorded 6.41 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2015, a drop from 8.15 per 100,000 in 2014, representing a decrease of more than 20 percent. According to the interior minister, 65 percent of cases were successfully solved. Serrano added that they are aiming for an 85 percent resolution rate by 2017. According to Serrano, the drop in homicides, making the country one of the safest in the region, is due to government efforts to modernize and further professionalize the country’s national police force.There was a moderate increase in thefts and home invasions. President Correa said the increase in petty crime coincided with a period of violent opposition protests in the country, where police resources were reallocated to guarantee security during the demonstrations.

​President Correa said alleged criminals took advantage of a smaller police presence inside communities, accounting for the increase in petty crimes. Read Article

SAFETY AND SECURITY IN ECUADOR – READ THIS BOOK