The tough-on-crime policies that have been implemented by several urban governments as a strategy to reduce crime, insecurity and violence, which range from higher punishments to lowering the age of criminal responsibility, have given contra-productive results so far (Davis, 2013; Muggah, 2012). In addition, catastrophic mid-term and long-term consequences have been documented to generate a greater spiral of organised and unorganised violence, as well as a severe deterioration of the social fabric in the cities where these measures are implemented (Dudley, 2013; PNUD, 2013; Wolf, 2011).
Different social sectors are expressing an increasing concern and demanding for governmental authorities to act in an even more drastic and efficient way when confronting urban crime and violence (INEGI, 2015; Latinobarómetro, 2015; PNUD, 2013).[1] This brings us to two essential questions: How could the ascending circles of urban violence and insecurity be deactivated? And, how could alternative and efficient responses to the underlying causes of violence and insecurity be generated to reduce them, while contributing to the reconstruction of the social fabric?
[1] Latinobarometro of 2015 identifies delinquency as the most significant problem for the Mexican interviewees, with a 23%; well above the unemployment (16%) and the economy (8%). Also, more than 70% of the interviewees consider living in Mexico is less safe every day.