Citizen Security: No More “Catch and Release”

We recently received notification from the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica that a Flagranica Court has been approved for San Ramón. A Flagrancia Court is a judicial process that involves holding criminal suspects and having them appear before a judge within days after their detention. In other words, it will help reduce the number of ‘catch and release’ cases. Subsequent to this notification a group of local leaders including Action Alliance representative Cesar Carrillo recently met with the President of the Sala Tercera. The next step in the implementation of the Flagrancia Court is the reconfiguration of the local Fiscal (District Attorney’s Office) and the preparation of a budget to cover the costs associated with the creation of the new court. This is very encouraging news. In truth, the installation of a Flagrancia Court may be the single most tangible step that could be taken to reduce crime in the community. Kudos are due to Martha Zamora Castillo and Jessica Acosta López who took the lead in organizing the effort to get the approval for the court. Special thanks also go out to all those that participated in the peace marches and signed the petition requesting the court. This is community in action!

Securing Your Investment in Costa Rica:

Town Hall Meeting on Citizen Security

We’ve all encountered theft and scam artists in Costa Rica. We’ve talked about it at previous events. We’re frustrated and mad. What can we do about it? At our May 2010 Town Hall Meeting on Citizen Security, we met Consul General Paul Birdsall and discussed this important issue.

Agenda

Citizen Security Town Hall Meeting
Jose Figueres Cultural Center, San Ramon Wednesday, May 19, 2:00 pm  

Opening Comments/Introductions (13 minutes)

Opening Comments (Mike/5min) – purpose and expectations
Acknowledgements
Representative from the Cultural Center (Paul/3 min)
Special guests (Mike/3 min) – Paul Birdsall, Kevin Ludeke, Astrid Fischel
Introduction of Paul Birdsall (Mike/2 min)

Paul Birdsall (15 minutes) Roles and responsibilities of the U.S. Embassy

Services that are offered.
How the Embassy is structured
The Consular Section and what he does specifically.
Questions (time permitting)

Floor Discussion (30 minutes)

General Comments (Mike) – there are many ‘threats’ to citizens (theft, real estate scams, corruption, enforcement)
Guidelines (Mike) – informative, to the point, no questions
General Questions/Floor Survey (Mike)

• How many of you know someone that has had something stolen?
• How many of you have had something stolen?
• How many consider Citizen Security to be one of your top concerns about living in Costa Rica?

Specific Experiences – the following people will speak about their specific stories:

• Paul Yeatman – relate story of Buzz/Jacki (they’re leaving!)
• Jack Hutchinson – scam artist
• Brian Corrigan – focus on lack of recourse
• Jay Quesenberry – real estate scams 

Open to Floor

Panel Members:

• Moderator: Mike Styles, SBA Steering Committee
• Paul Birdsall, Consul General, U.S. Embassy
• Astrid Fischel Volio, former Vice President (1998-2002)
• Kevin Ludeke, representative from U.S. Embassy’s Economic Office

• Next steps
• Membership solicitation
• Comment cards?

Listen to the audio recording of Paul Birdsall's comments.

Listen to the audio recording of Astrid Fischel Volio's comments during the Panel Discussion.

(Photos courtesy of Jennifer Sheridan,
A New Life in Costa Rica, www.anewlifeincostarica.com)

Post Seminar
Follow-Up:

Read the Town Hall Meeting Attendee Feedback here.

Read the Citizen Security Guide (translated into English) referenced by Astrid Fischel Volio.