### 73% of Mexicans Feel Unsafe, According to INEGI; Crimes Cost $6,853 Per Citizen
Between March and April 2024, a staggering 73.6% of Mexicans felt unsafe, as revealed on September 19, 2024, by the National Survey of Victimization and Perception of Public Safety (ENVIPE), conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
The states with the highest perception of insecurity during this period were Morelos at 90.1%, Guanajuato at 87.5%, and Zacatecas at 87.4%. Additionally, the survey found that 62.5% of adults felt insecure in their municipality or local township, while 40.2% felt unsafe in their neighborhood.
The data indicated that women felt more unsafe, with 77.3% reporting insecurity compared to 69.3% of men. Moreover, 60.7% of respondents considered insecurity the most severe problem facing the country.
In 2023, an estimated 31.3 million crimes were committed, but only 10.4% were reported, and the Public Ministry only initiated investigations in 68% of these cases. This means that 92.9% of crimes were not investigated or no official reports were filed. The hidden crime rate in 2023 was nearly identical to 2022’s figure of 92.4%.
Among the reported cases, 47.9% saw no resolution, and 27.6% resulted in ongoing processes, leaving 75.5% of reports without conclusion. Only 17.2% of initiated investigations resulted in a positive outcome for the complainant. Reasons for not reporting crimes often cited issues with authorities: 34.4% attributed it to wasting time, 12.7% to distrust, and 9.8% to lengthy and complicated procedures.
Comparing 2022 and 2023, the crime prevalence rate decreased in four federal entities, increased in seven, and remained unchanged in 21. High rates were noted in Estado de México, Aguascalientes, and Ciudad de México, while poorer rates were noted in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacán.
In 2023, the overall crime rate for Mexico increased by 15.9%, with 33,267 per 100,000 inhabitants. Costs related to crime in Mexican households dropped by 11.63% in 2023, totaling 282 billion pesos (1.15% of GDP), with an average cost per affected person of 6,853 pesos.
Preventive spending and victimization losses together amounted to substantial financial burdens, with 91.7 billion pesos spent on prevention and 190.3 billion pesos lost due to victimization.
**Cost of Crime and Victim Demographics**
Fraud was the most frequent crime, followed by street robbery or public transport assaults and extortion. Men were generally more affected by personal crimes, while women faced higher rates of sexual offenses. The survey highlighted that 21.9 million people were crime victims in 2023, with around 27.5% of Mexican households reporting at least one member as a crime victim.
INEGI conducted the survey from March 4 to April 26, 2024, aiming to gather data on victimization affecting individuals and households, including various types of theft, fraud, extortion, verbal threats, injuries, kidnappings, and sexual offenses.
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### Secondary Article: Steps Being Taken to Address Growing Insecurity in Mexico
Authorities in Mexico are ramping up efforts to address the increasing sense of insecurity among its citizens. The government is working on several initiatives aimed at improving public safety and boosting the rate of crime resolution.
1. **Strengthening Law Enforcement:** Steps are being taken to enhance police training and increase the presence of law enforcement in high-crime areas to instill a sense of security among the populace.
2. **Judicial Reforms:** Reforms are being implemented within the justice system to ensure quicker case resolutions and reduce the backlog of investigations. The goal is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal proceedings to foster trust in the judicial system.
3. **Community Engagement:** Programs promoting community policing and collaboration between residents and law enforcement agencies are being rolled out. These initiatives aim to build a stronger relationship between the police and communities to tackle crime more effectively.
4. **Awareness Campaigns:** Public awareness campaigns are focusing on educating citizens about crime prevention measures and encouraging reporting of all crimes while assuring them of protection and confidentiality.
5. **Technological Advancements:** Investments are being made in technological resources, such as surveillance cameras and advanced forensic tools, to aid in crime detection and evidence gathering.
These steps, although promising, will require diligent implementation and community support to ensure a tangible reduction in crime and an improvement in public safety perceptions.
These initiatives reflect a multi-faceted approach to tackling the complex issue of public security, illustrating the commitment of the authorities to create a safer environment for all citizens. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored in the subsequent ENVIPE surveys to assess their impact on crime prevalence and public perception of safety.