The COVID-19 pandemic provoked a series of measures aimed at avoiding contagion such as vehicle restrictions, teleworking, virtual schooling, limited capacity in commercial establishments, and the closing of parks and recreation sites, among others.
With fewer people on the streets, criminals saw their opportunities limited. According to statistics from the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ), in 2020 there was a 23% decrease in criminal complaints.
According to Walter Espinoza, general director of the OIJ, Costa Rica projects to close the year with 80,000 complaints, a lower number than that registered in 2019, which accounted for more than 100,000.
“The offender realized that he no longer had the facility to commit traditional crimes that involve some contact or encounter, which generally affected passersby or people who left their property in a certain place and led to a situation of neglect that favored the criminal act,” Espinoza said.