Because of the level of concern and importance associated with this issue, for both Expats and Ticos alike, we formed a Citizen Security Committee early on. They have accomplished some amazing things:

• Town Hall Meeting – we initiated a dialogue with the U.S. Embassy and invited Consul General Paul Birdsall to come to San Ramón to listen first hand to our concerns about crime; this relationship has since evolved in to something much bigger and the level of mutual cooperation has been very high.
• Security Summit – we invited representatives from other communities including Dominical, Tamarindo and Escazu to discuss what they are doing in their areas to address crime.
• National Initiative – recognizing that change was required on a national level we launched a campaign that included a Citizen Security Petition, we submitted a plan to the Central Government, and executed a publicity plan to raise awareness and to bind the international community around the issue.
  Sign the Citizen Security Petition Online
  Firma la petición de seguridad ciudadana en español
• Community Policing Workshop – in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy we hosted a speaking tour featuring community policing specialist Arturo Venegas, Jr.; Ambassador Andrew gave the opening remarks and there were close to 150 attendees from all segments of the community, the largest and most diverse gathering of any of the 4-market tour.
• Neighborhood Watch Program – we are coordinating with the local Fuerza Publica to provide community security training in several neighborhoods working hand in hand with our Costa Rican neighbors.
• Assistant Secretary of State – we were honored to make a presentation on the crime situation in San Ramon to the Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador Andrew at the ambassador’s home; as part of this presentation we were able to deliver the local congressman, the mayor, the chief of police, the president of the chamber of commerce and other local officials.

Current Initiative:

San Ramón Libre de Drogas - We’re still in the hunt!

Members of the Citizen Security Committee spoke with a representative of the U.S. Embassy on Thursday, August 16 regarding the status of the grant application for the San Ramón Libre de Drogas program.  The Embassy representative indicated that the Community Action Alliance remains a priority for the Embassy; that they are searching for an appropriate source to fund the program; and they expect to be able to give us final word no later than the end of this year.