STUDENT WRITING: POSITION by VALERIA VIORNERY

Insecurity in Mexico

Have you ever faced an insecurity problem living in Mexico? As Mexican citizens, what can we do to reduce crime?

The fact is that during the last five years we have been facing the worst crime rates in Mexico’s history. I believe that the severe insecurity in Mexico is mainly due to three factors: the lack of an efficient police force, the absence of moral values and insufficient job opportunities.

The lack of an efficient police department is one of the principal reasons for the violence. The first step to reduce crime is that our government needs to create a capable institution committed to preventing violence. This institution needs to strengthen the professionalism of the police. The government has to fight corruption to purify and dignify the police. Another way to reduce crime is for the police force to receive higher pay and better benefits. For example, the wages of a policeman are almost the same as those of a secretary; it is impossible for a policeman to live adequately being so poorly paid. Definitely their wages cannot sustain a family.

Another reason for the violence in Mexico is the absence of moral values. Mexicans are used to bribes and disrespecting the police. For example, if you cross a red light and get stopped, people give cash to the officer instead so as to avoid the ticket. Another example is that people reach higher level of authority in order to dismiss penalties. Corruption is the biggest problem in Mexico and is produced by a lack of moral values. Extortion, which is one example of corruption, occurs when a person obtains unlawfully something from a person or institution through coercion. For instance, a person asks for money and threatens to cause physical or material damage if there is no payment. Another example of corruption is that the owners of bars allow access to minors for profit purposes. The solution for this is complicated because unfortunately Mexico has grown with this cultural problem “corruption”. However, a solid family structure that cultivates values in our children can help prevent corruption.

The last of the major reasons for the violence in Mexico is insufficient job opportunities. Unemployment has increased in Mexico lately due to the violence situation. According to the AMAC (Mexican Association of Manufacturing Industries) the unemployment rate has increased 10% compared to the last five years. Another reason for the unemployment is that business owners have been threatened and as a result they have had to close their business. According to Borderzine magazine, “In the last five years, 10,000 small companies in Cd Juarez closed their business due to violence issues.” (Unrelenting). The El Paso Times reported that “In the last five years, some 10,000 small businesses in Juárez have closed, with some relocating to El Paso and other parts of the U.S.” (Flight). If the violence keeps growing, unfortunately the unemployment will increase. If our government stops with this war and provides more security to our country, we will be able to have a job and work very hard in order to restore Mexico’s economy. Instead of continuing to deal with the drug trafficking and crime, our government should increase the penalties to criminals, educate the police force and increase resources for the police in order to stop the violence.

In conclusion, the insecurity in Mexico has been caused by the lack of an efficient police force, the inexistence of good values, and the lack of job opportunities. As a Mexican, I believe we have to work harder in order to fix the violence problem. It is getting better, but there is still a long way to go.