Puerto Rico reports historic 30% drop in homicides amid comprehensive security reforms

Puerto Rico's government meeting on November 26, 2024, highlighted a significant drop in violent crime, marking the lowest murder rate in four decades. The meeting revealed that the comprehensive security plan implemented by the government has led to a historic 30% reduction in homicides, with only 472 murders reported in 2023.

Key achievements discussed included the establishment of the first Operations Center for Protection Orders (COPOP), which centralizes the handling of protection orders and enhances preventive patrols. Over the past four years, police have made approximately 97,018 arrests, including 597 of the most dangerous criminals and 301 from the FBI's most wanted list. The police also confiscated over 16,000 weapons and seized significant quantities of illegal drugs, including 159,000 kilos of cocaine.

The meeting also addressed the introduction of the Zara model, which integrates scanning, analysis, response, and evaluation to tackle crime in high-incident communities. This model has been implemented in nine neighborhoods, aiming to restore community control and improve safety.

In addition to crime reduction, the police have focused on community engagement, conducting over 500 educational activities related to animal protection and rescuing more than 500 animals from neglect and abuse. The meeting underscored the importance of ongoing reforms within the police force, including the first promotion exams in over a decade, which have been recognized for their fairness and transparency.

As Puerto Rico continues to navigate its security challenges, the government remains committed to enhancing public safety and accountability, with a renewed focus on gender violence prevention and community outreach initiatives.