Government Bill Looks to Beef up Security in Costa Rica

Gun Control is one of the Gov’t’s Plan’s Priorities
Gun Ownership is One of the Major Problems Addressed in the Plan.

A new set of laws seeking to reinforce the security of Costa Rica’s residents was submitted to the Legislative Assembly this Tuesday, March 11th. The proposed project was created and is backed by a high level committee from the Executive and Judicial branches of the government. Among the proponents are: the Vice-president and Minister of Justice Laura Chinchilla, the Attorney General Francisco Dall’Anese, the Minister of Security Fernando Berrocal, and Jorge Rojas, the Director of the OIJ – Costa Rica’s equivalent to the United States’ FBI. The proposed plan covers multiple topics, among them fighting organized crime, protecting victims and witnesses of crimes, regulating gun ownership and strengthening municipal and neighborhood security.

Fighting Crime

The most important set of laws in the plan are directed at fighting the rise of organized crime in Costa Rica. This part of the project focuses mainly on targeting criminal organizations’ economic stability by trying to crack down on money laundering. One of the methods proposed to combat money laundering is that the government will have the legal means to seize large sums of money that have uncertain and unverifiable origins. That is, all public servants, private citizens and corporations that cannot justify the origin of their capital will have those funds confiscated. The seized funds will then be distributed among Costa Rica’s crime fighting organizations to further strengthen their resources and training.

Tighter gun control regulations are also proposed. For example, it is suggested that individuals can only own and register one gun to their name and those that are under investigation or have been convicted of domestic abuse are prohibited from registering or carrying firearms. La Nación newspaper reports that between January 2006 and June 2007, over 3,700 illegal firearms were seized.

Another proposed law that deals with crime prevention is an amendment to the “Ley de Tránsito” (Motor Vehicle Law). This new measure is meant to try to control one of the preferred vehicles used by paid assassins – the motorcycle. The motorcycle is the vehicle of choice for these criminals given its ability to weave in and out of traffic to escape capture. In an attempt to fight this disturbing trend, this law suggests requiring motorcycle operators to wear a reflective vest with their license plate visible on the back.

Other proposed laws in the crime-fighting package cover the creation of a new crime-fighting database to centralize all information on criminals and gangs. Also, the creation of a government-run telecommunications monitoring agency is proposed to eavesdrop on criminal activities 24 hours a day. Aimed at reducing theft, the final chapter of the “Ley de Fortalecimiento Integral de la Seguridad Ciudadana” focuses on increasing control over pawn shops that buy and sell stolen goods. If the law passes, any pawn shop that is found buying or selling stolen goods will be shut down and their commercial license will be suspended.

Neighborhood and Municipal Security

The new set of laws includes provisions to improve funding of the newly formed Municipal Police Force. They also allow residential neighborhoods that meet certain criteria to set up roadblocks that control access to the area. This last measure is aimed at providing private citizens an additional way of protecting their homes from vandals and crime.

The Waiting Game

The proposed set of laws and amendments were received with heartfelt enthusiasm by legislators of the ruling party. On the other hand, those not affiliated with President Arias’ ruling party gave the plan a lukewarm reception and promised to study the proposals. As with other laws that are being studied by the Legislative Branch (e.g. TLC (NAFTA)), the approval of new projects and amendments is a slow process in Costa Rica, so don’t hold your breath too long.

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John D. Kloninger is a online marketer Living in Costa Rica. Born in California, he grew up in San Jose and then went on to University in Honolulu, HI and Boston, MA. You can contact him at jkloninger@gmail.com.

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