CORE Security Commission approved $1.9 billion project to combat organized crime in Tarapacá

The Public Security Commission of the Tarapacá Regional Council has approved a $1.9 billion project aimed at financing the “Strengthening Project against Organized Crime and Delinquency” during the years 2024 and 2025. The project must now be seen by the plenary session of the Tarapacá Regional Council. CORE for final approval.

In detail, the budget modification, supported by regional prosecutor Trinidad Steinert in a document sent to Governor José Miguel Carvajal, highlights the need to address recent changes in crime in the region. According to the document to which he had access Radio PaulinaIn recent years, Tarapacá has seen a decrease in common crimes and an increase in violent crimes, with new methods of operation by criminal gangs competing for the drug and contraband market.

The main lines of action of the project include security in the transfer of prosecutors, through the acquisition of armored vehicles with satellite antennas to guarantee the security and connectivity of prosecutors in Iquique and Alto Hospicio, valued at $220 million.

The president of the CORE Security Commission, Sergio Asarella, indicated that the full Council must still give the final approval, but that there were no objections to the initial approval of the resources.

For her part, regional counselor Camila Navarro highlighted the importance of this project, stating that security has become a priority on the regional budget agenda.

Regional councilor Luis Milla, although he recognized the value of the project, pointed out that “it is totally insufficient” due to the limitations of resources and powers of the CORE.

Technological resources

The initiative also seeks to improve proximity to the community through the implementation of a “Mobile Prosecutor’s Office” to bring services to remote areas, for $238 million. This includes the development of a communication channel dissemination plan and the purchase of cell phones for the regional communications advisor.

In addition, internal management will be implemented that covers the digitization and destruction of documents, the acquisition of a high-capacity server and UPS systems to prevent the loss of information. Additional notebooks and screens will also be purchased for prosecutors and lawyers.

Regarding technology and forensic analysis, equipment will be acquired to unlock and extract information from phones, storage of digital evidence, a scanner and a drone for the preservation of sites of the event.

The project will be developed in two years. In the first year, it will focus on the security of prosecutors, closeness to the community and the beginning of the digitization of documents. In the second year, digitization will be completed and the technology for criminal analysis will be updated, including the training necessary for its use.

Likewise, the main objective is to improve care for victims and witnesses, strengthen the analysis of organized crime gangs and prioritize crimes with the greatest violence and impact on the community, thus contributing to a safer Tarapacá.