Crime and No Punishment

Posted on March 16, 2007
Filed Under Montevideo, Crime, Culture | 6 Comments

For a long time, Uruguay has been known as one of the safest destinations in South America. Not too long ago, one could go just about anywhere in Uruguay without ever seeing bars on windows. Violent crimes were extremely rare. The low crime statistics then were perhaps a reflection of small disparity between the poor and the rich, as well as the relative wealth of Uruguayans compared to neighboring countries.

Throughout the nineties, the myth of the middle class country started to show signs of strain with the fast and continued development of Punta del Este as a destination of the rich and the super rich. Some resort towns became unaffordable and out of bounds for most Uruguayans.

In 2002, triggered by Argentinean fiscal woes, Uruguay went through one of its worst financial crisis. After Argentina decreed a freeze on bank assets, anyone with money invested in Uruguay flocked across the river to withdraw as much as they could. A bank run was on. The Uruguayan financial system nearly collapsed and the peso devalued quickly. The devaluation of the Brazilian currency that same year aggravated the situation. In few months, the Uruguayan peso lost 50% of its value compared to the US dollar. The economy, which was essentially dollarized, suffered when workers, earning in pesos, did not have money for the basics. Supermarkets were sacked in Montevideo and the police had to take to the streets en masse. I recall passing through Montevideo in Dec of 2002 and seeing a policeman every other block in the downtown area.

The consequences of the 2002 shock were brutal. Many people had to sell their homes and rent in less affluent barrios. The few people with cash were able to make excellent real estate investments. As in Argentina, the crime rate increased dramatically that year. Even so crime decreased in following year from the high 2002 levels, it continued to increase significantly every year thereafter.

Areas of Montevideo that never had to worry about security, suddenly had to contend with installing alarms, getting dogs, electric fences etc. Even Punta del Este, which never had bars on windows, was eventually affected. Nowadays many of the houses in wooded areas already have them, even though it is still somewhat localized.

Given the fast change in crime statistics, one needs to use caution when looking at crime rate comparisons with other countries. Many publications still use data from before 2002 which can unintentionally lead to a false sense of security. Especially, if one does not follow Uruguayan local news on a daily basis. When crime is not too high, it is easy to fall into the “I go out at night every night and nothing ever happened to me” or the “I feel safe, therefore I am safe” approach.

While I was on vacation this (UY) summer, for the first time, I ended up beginning to worry about security in Uruguay. I had the opportunity to follow this topic on the local media and to talk to many Uruguayans and Brazilians regarding this issue. The stories I heard regarding house break-ins, armed robbery and lack of police effectiveness seem to indicate that a new reality is setting in. Here are a few of the stories:

I personally witnessed two teenagers ransacking a recently stolen purse in Parque Rodó, and getting violently upset when they did not find any valuables in it. They studied me with great care as I passed them and then continued to rifle through the purse. This happened in broad daylight. They did not look threatened by me, on the contrary, it was as if they were deciding whether I had any money and was worth the trouble.

Brazilian friends who go regularly to PdE, had their house burglarized while they slept. Others friends reported frequent purse snatchings at the beach. A nephew of mine was robbed at night in MVD. I also heard from several Brazilians that due to security concerns they now prefer to rent apartments in Punta del Este, instead of houses.

Throughout my stay, newspapers had frequent articles about crime, such as that of a citizen complaining that the police did not even show up after their house was broken into, for the third time in Ciudad de la Costa. Or of another complaining that summer homes are in a lawless land after the beach season in La Paloma. Even the TV had a few interviews with victims of repeated house break ins. In a conversation with a bus driver, I learned that they are concerned with armed robberies to buses after a few incidents last year. While I was there, a taxi driver was killed and most buses and taxis stopped for a day to bring attention to the issue.

While recent crime statistics show that the total number of crimes may have peaked, violent crimes are still increasing. However, the Ministro del Interior admitted that it could be due to people no longer reporting crimes.

Most of the Uruguayans I talked to seemed worried about the direction this is heading. I know I am.

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6 Responses to “Crime and No Punishment”

Adrian on March 17th, 2007 2:35 am

Brazzie,
Sad to read this write-up, which seems to have an unfortunate ring of truth.

On our visit Sept. 06 I noticed lots of Police around MVD who gave the impression that they were skilled at not doing much.

Also the Realtor we met insisted that Apartment living gave the only possible secure option. That is without employing a full time housekeeper, and the employment laws make that a no go.

I understand the Police were instructed not to do anything when the protesters smashed the windows of McDonald’s recently. This reflects the political attitude towards crime.

SHAME. Adrian.
loei on March 17th, 2007 2:00 pm

I am lucky enough to live in Colonia Valdense (Colonia Departmento) where I get laughed at for locking my car, where bars on windows are unusual, where the crime rate is very low and where the local police do regular patrols by day and by night.

Perhaps things will go the same way as in the larger cities one day but at present, crime does not seem to be a major problem.

Patrick McDonnell
Steve on March 31st, 2007 4:36 am

My friend was robbed in Feb right on 18 de Julio at 11PM on the walk back to the hotel after dinner, right next to Plaza de Entrevero by three or four teens - pushed him, grabbed his wallet and ran off. He’s 70 and probably looked like an easy mark - I’m a lot younger and they didn’t go after me. It ruined the evening needless to say.
Horazio on April 7th, 2007 6:48 am

Street crime is high in Montevideo especially in downtown (18 de Julio and nearing streets).
You should never ever carry around visible items such as mobile phones,watches,cameras when you’re alone on the streets.
Not only that,mugging is frequent even when you don’t look “loaded”. Watch out.

Horazio
www.freewebs.com/horazio
urufish on May 16th, 2007 8:19 pm

We were robbed 2x in the past 20 years in Piriapolis. First time they stole taps (as in plumbing). The last time, a toaster, juicer and a microwave. We just accepted it and moved on… no bars, no alarm system–still.
In MVD we lived in a PH and had an alarm roughed-in but decided against using it. When we would come home late at night, I was always prepared to see a little ransacking… but not once.
Now we live in a house in Pocitos. The house has thick, decorative but functional rejas on all windows and doors… Because they’re so decorative, it doesn’t feel like a prison. Yes, there is an alarm system on the house and we do use it when we go out at night, but often dont turn it on when we go to sleep (because of the physical security).
We have friends who have been robbed, but it’s always something small that’s been stolen, or a purse has been snatched… Nothing we’ve seen or heard gives us any concern for personal safety.
Ant on June 5th, 2007 7:02 pm

Although the city looks very safe… I have been told not to wander out alone late at night near Plaza Independencia and its neighbouring areas…
Someone I know was mugged and was asked to han over all the cash he had. He wasnt hurt… But its still a scary experience.

Crime and No Punishment

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