Security Sector Reform and Citizen Security Experiences from Urban Latin America in Global Perspective

• Format: eBook
• Language: English
• Published: London Ubiquity Press 2019
• Series: SSR Papers
• Subjects: Citizen security; Crime prevention; Security Sector Reform; thema EDItEUR::G Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary subjects::GT Interdisciplinary studies::GTP Development studies; thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JB Society and culture: general::JBS Social groups, communities and identities::JBSD Urban communities; thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JH Sociology and anthropology::JHB Sociology; thema EDItEUR::J Society and Social Sciences::JP Politics and government::JPA Political science and theory; thema EDItEUR::K Economics, Finance, Business and Management::KN Industry and industrial studies::KNS Hospitality and service industries; thema EDItEUR::L Law::LA Jurisprudence and general issues::LAR Legal aspects of criminology; Urban violence
• Online Access: Open Access: DOAB: description of the publication; Open Access: DOAB, download the publication

 While widely considered a core pillar of the peace and security architecture, Security Sector Reform (SSR) is coming under fire. SSR theory and practice are criticized for being overly focused on traditional conflict and post-conflict settings and for being unable to adjust to unconventional settings marked by chronic crime and terrorism. SSR tends to be disproportionately focused on national institutions and less amenable to engaging at the subnational scale. Drawing on the experiences of so-called 'citizen security' measures in cities across Latin America and the Caribbean, this paper offers some opportunities for renewing and revitalizing SSR. The emphasis of citizen security interventions on multiple forms of insecurity, data-driven and evidence-informed prevention, the promotion of social cohesion and efficacy and designing crime prevention into the social and built environment are all insights that can positively reinforce comprehensive SSR measures in the 21st century.