We launch security plan for this summer that includes 1,140 police officers throughout Chile to prevent crimes and protect citizens

Crime Prevention Undersecretary Eduardo Vergara Bolbarán and Director General of Carabineros de Chile (Uniformed Police Service), Ricardo Yáñez Reveco, launched this morning the security plan for this summer at the Carabineros Training School. 

The initiative seeks to strengthen the police presence and protection of citizens in tourist sites such as beaches and bathing spots, as well as on routes, roads, parks and other places during the summer season. 

The security plan includes the deployment of 1,140 officers throughout Chile. It will be done in two stages, with 445 deployed in the first stage and another 695 in the later period of summer. 

Undersecretary Vergara said, “during these months, as the Government, we will continue to be deployed, strengthening our coordination work to protect activities as important as tourism, commercial activity and transport; so that all the cogs that make this country progress and grow, but, above all, protect its people are working.” 

He explained that the policemen and women who will be deployed for people’s safety will come from three schools: Concepción, Santiago and Antofagasta. They will “be there at a time when the country is crying out for security.” He also highlighted the delivery of police patrol cars to strengthen preventive work throughout the country. 

“I want to take this opportunity to ask everyone to allow Carabineros to get on with their work calmly when they see them. There are often spaces with a large presence of people, of crowds, and we need them to be able to do their job, to have their space, because, at the end of the day, Chile’s security is created by all of us. And the more we understand it as the effort of the whole country, the better we move towards security being an expression of justice and equity, but, above all, a right and not a privilege,” he stated.  

Undersecretary Vergara also took the opportunity to thank the Carabineros for their work during the fire that recently affected Viña del Mar. 

“As the Government, we will continue to be deployed, strengthening our coordination work to protect activities as important as tourism, commercial activity and transport; so that all the cogs that make this country progress and grow, but, above all, protect its people are working,” Undersecretary Vergara explained. 

The Director General of Carabineros stated that “as an institution, together with the Government, we have already planned a series of actions to provide greater security to all individuals and families who will visit bathing spots in different regions of the country during the summer period.” 

He added, “Carabineros is constantly present in the field, and we know that one of our citizens’ main concerns is security. That is why we are not only here to tell you about a plan, but also to reiterate our commitment to the peace and security of each Chilean (…) Together with the Interior and Public Security Minister and President Gabriel Boric, we have worked to strengthen our preventive work. Prevention is the key concept for this plan to really provide a safe summer.” 

Police deployment 

During the first month of 2023, 445 police officers will be assigned to places with a greater influx of people. In February, 695 officers will be deployed, which will mean 74% more than the same period in summer 2021-2022. 

During both stages, 87 police stations will be reinforced with a separate supply of personnel from the Antofagasta, Santiago and Concepción Carabineros Training Schools, so as not to undermine the normal services carried out daily throughout Chile. 

The plan also includes the publication of self-care advice to spend the summer safely, as well as to protect homes that are temporarily uninhabited while their owners are on vacation. 

Source: Crime Prevention Undersecretary