What is the Actual Situation with the Security in San Miguel?
Click to Download Emergency Contact Numbers in San Miguel de Allende
We continue with our series of articles on issues and concerns of interest to the residents of San Miguel de Allende. There is no bigger concern right now than security.
What is the actual situation with security in San Miguel?
The truth is no one knows. All our Facebooks feeds are full of stories of violence, extorsion and theft – in San Miguel and across the country. With most of our news coming from unreliable social media sources, many of us feel frightened, powerless and ill-informed. Some local groups are adding up death counts but reliable, fact-based statistics simply do not exist. How can we get the information we need to keep ourselves and our families safe?
In an often-quoted study, the “Índice de Impunidad Global México” discovered that at least 99% of crimes committed across the country are never solved or punished. There is no doubt that impunity and corruption are huge problems.
But what is often left out is that the same report points out that only 7 out of every 100 crimes are reported.
Why we MUST make official reports
If only 7% of crimes are reported how can we possibly expect that any substantial number will be solved? The police cannot solve crimes of which they have no knowledge. Nor can we address the issues of crime, insecurity and violence if we do not have reliable statistics.
Many people don’t know how to report a crime or feel unsafe doing so. Even more say reporting crime is a waste of time, because the bad guys always get away. We understand this perspective and would like to address these issues. But firstly, we would like to explain what to do if you are the victim of any type of illegal activity
The 2 steps to reporting a crime.
1) Getting Emergency assistance
2) Register an official complaint with Ministerio Publico.
They are not the same thing
Getting Emergency assistance
There are two emergency numbers:
911, the local general emergency number, and 089, the anonymous state number
911 is the number to call in any kind of emergency at any time of day or night. It is also the number to call after-hours if you have any other issues that need to be handled quickly such as noise complaints, fallen cables, electrical issues, gas leaks, etc.
What if they don’t answer or show up?
There have been many reports of 911 not responding or taking an excessive amount of time to respond.
In April, the Governor inaugurated a new C4 center to monitor security cameras and manage 911 calls. Hopefully this will make a difference. In cases where you feel the response is delayed or inadequate, please call 089, which will connect you to the Fiscalia Estatal who will then notify the appropriate authorities in San Miguel.
Please remember – It is your right to receive these services. Keep calling until you receive an adequate response.
Anonymity
Many of us dislike the fact that reporting to 911 requires us to give our names and contact info. It is important that citizens understand that THIS IS NOT REQUIRED. You have the right to anonymity
089 is also the number to call to anonymously report violence, abuse, kidnapping or extorsion, including phone extorsion, gang activity, producing/trafficking in illegal substances, weapons or endangered animal products.
Recently we were made aware of a situation in which a very large group of people was being threatened by a criminal gang. While sworn to secrecy, many spoke to family members friends and neighbors. As always in San Miguel there was plenty of chisme but no action. We encouraged the victims to report to 089. They did so, reluctantly, and were very pleased at the rapid an appropriate response by authorities.
You will not be assumed guilty for simply reporting a crime
It is important to add that in 2008 the Constitution of Mexico was changed, to put it very simply, from “guilty until proven innocent” to” innocent until proven guilty.” There is no need to fear that you will risk punishment or detention for simply reporting a crime.
2) Ministerio Público
Depending on your situation, the 911 or 089 operators will most likely send the Municipal police. Keep in mind the Municipal Police DO NOT investigate. Their job is preventative as in providing security, cordoning off zones and stopping crime if – and only if – they arrive at a scene while a crime is actually occurring. They also cannot make an official report.
In order for a file to be opened and an investigation begun, a report must be filed at Ministerio Publico, Salida a Queretaro, Boulevard de la Conspiración, KM 1.5. You will be channeled to the appropriate officials who will file the report. Be prepared to wait for several hours. If you don’t speak Spanish, there are often translators available, but it would be best to bring a Spanish speaker with you. We are working on a list of people who will accompany foreigners for a fee.
We recommend following up on your report regularly. Again, you have a right to these services. Be polite and patient but do not be intimidated. Government officials work for us. Not the other way around.
Why does it take so long?
We don’t know. The time commitment is why many people resist this part of the process. The inefficiency is frustrating, especially for those of us with work and family obligations.
We emphasize yet again how important it is to make those reports anyways.
What’s the point if they are just going to get away?
The whole process can feel pointless in light of the level of impunity. However, within our small group, all of us have direct experience of crimes being solved.
In one of our member’s neighborhoods, within one block, there were two robberies. Both made reports. One got her stolen car back. The other got some of her stuff back and the thieves were put in jail for 6 years. This doesn’t always happen of course, but it can only happen in cases where an official report has been made to Ministerio Público.
We all know that for this to work we need more police officers. In an upcoming article we will discuss the different levels of police, the lack of officers and plans to improve the situation.
