The Costa Rican national police force, Fuerza Publica, are confronting the country’s rising crime rate by engaging children in fun and informative activities. The crime prevention project officers are trained in storytelling, face painting, balloon animals, magic tricks, and arrive in classrooms armed with coloring books and lesson plans.
The Fuerza Publica team are sworn to protect all children of Costa Rica and deliver teachings to first through fourth grade classrooms. Through the Pinta Seguro program, children are involved in fun activities while learning how to recognize unsafe adults and situations, contact appropriate adults, play in safe areas, promote social skills and self-protection measures, and safe activities at home and on the road.
To celebrate Costa Rica’s September children’s day event, Fuerza Publica officers visited La Suiza, a remote rural community in Turrialba and taught students about safety in the midst of potato sack races.
In addition to Pina Seguro, the Community Policing program bring family entertainment to children in impoverished communities. Officers with artistic and musical abilities are encouraged to facilitate the events.
The police force hopes to foster positive relationships between the local law enforcement and community. Local reporter said “for most of these children it was their first time meeting a police officer. This is exactly what Fuerza Publica wants: To let Costa Rica know that they are a friendly force sworn to protect all residents.”
According to the US Department of State, the overall criminal threat for Costa Rica’s capital San Jose is rated “High,” with a particular concern for violent crime.
Creative Commons Love: Ingmar Zahorsky on Flickr.com
