The report contrasts with popular opinion that the murder rate here is rising and that the city is no longer safe. A 2008 poll LAPOP (Latin American Public Opinion Project), stated that respondents in Argentina feel less safe than any other country in the region.
Pagina12 goes on to say that 2009 figures now being compiled for countries in the region could show Argentina as with an even lower comparitive murder rate as voluntary manslaughter may have been underreported in Chile. Independent reports indicate that US murder rates will show rises for the same period, as well.
Until the 2001 financial crisis, Argentina´s capital was known as "Safe Buenos Aires" by other Latin Americans. The subsequent up-tick in crime led Argentines, unaccustomed to crime, may have led public opinion to believe that public safety was deteriorating in relation to other countries and cities in the region. The wide reporting of high profile crimes and murders only made that feeling worse.
2 comments:
I'm sure that whoever did this poll, must have done it after a night of "drinking liberally Buenos Aires".
Either that or they must work for the government.
How sad that beautiful Buenos Aires can be associated with any kind of crime at all.
We´ve always envyed the safety and tranquility of Buenos Aires.
A friend of mine was in Buenos Aires recently and as soon as he walked out of the hotel he was assaulted in the street. A criminal put a gun on his head. He was scared, nevertheless, he tells me it was the only incident he had and he was able to enjoy his trip. We Mexicans have grown accustomed to this kind of things happening to us that we don´t allow those things to spoil our fun anywhere and anytime.
It is interesting also to point out that for all the hyper media about Mexico´s crime waves, when you look at the hard facts, Mexico City and Monterrey are much safer than Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, and many other cities. Not that it makes me happier, I wish no city in the world will ever suffer crime at all. But that it comes to show that things are not always the way they are painted or as we say in our country "el leon no es como lo pintan".
Congratulations on your blog.
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