Conference: Violence and Policing in Latin America and US Cities

The global cities of Latin America –Rio de Janeiro, Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Mexico City or Medellin-- have become engines of economic growth. Cities attract remarkable talent at all levels, and provide the networks that allow for innovation and the spread of ideas, a crucially important aspect for productivity. But crime, violence and the dissolution of the social fabric threaten the main attraction of cities and undermine development prospects. The challenge of providing policing that protects citizens, especially in the poorest neighborhoods where gangs and other criminal organizations tend to concentrate, is daunting. This conference brings together academics, policy makers, NGOs, and citizens to reflect on how the cities in Latin America are meeting the challenges of rising criminal violence. Particular focus will be given to “pacification” processes in cities that have experienced, and successfully reduced civil war-like levels of violence. Our goal will be to reflect on the dynamics and varieties of security strategies, police reform, and efforts to rebuild the social fabric.