Crime Prevention Workshop Strengthens Island Community Collaboration

Citizen security impacts all of us.  Recognizing the challenges the U.S. and Central America face in combating crime of all sorts, the U.S. Embassy Managua brought two trainers to Nicaragua January 13-17 to share best practices with the community of Corn Island.
 
In an intense, four-day workshop led by the U.S. National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), thirty citizens shared challenges they face in their neighborhoods and learned techniques to better secure their communities.  The NCPC model calls for collaboration among community residents, municipal leaders, law enforcement, and business leaders as the best way to address local security issues.
 
Covering themes of youth programs, drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, community-police communication, and school safety, participants identified their most pressing needs and prioritized their strategy for engagement.  The group hammered out a four-point action plan to reduce crime in their communities over the next twelve months and committed to working together to bring about change.
 
Thanks to the Foundation for the Autonomy and Development of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua for their role in organizing the workshop.  The Embassy looks forward to hearing from Island residents about their local successes.