Who is Ernesto López Portillo?
Ernesto López Portillo is the coordinator of the Urban Security Program at Iberoamericana University (IBERO CDMX). His expertise in security matters makes him a relevant voice in discussions about improving public safety.
The Need for Local Security Solutions
López Portillo emphasizes that international scientific evidence over the past 40 years demonstrates that the best security outcomes are achieved through local governments, using institutions close to citizens. He argues that municipal authorities are the only ones capable of building security, coexistence, and justice due to their direct contact with people on a street-by-street basis.
Why focus on municipalities?
Military or federal deployment will never achieve effective presence in territories. Instead, investment should focus on strengthening municipal police forces, civic justice, and services that prevent family, school, and workplace violence.
15 Recommendations for Legitimate, Sustainable, and Effective Security Policies
In response to Claudia Sheinbaum’s question about their proposals following the assassination of Uruapan’s mayor, Carlos Manzo Rodríguez, Ibero CDMX’s Security Program presented 15 recommendations:
- Prioritize municipalities as the central focus for security.
- Replicate successful municipal security practices nationwide.
- Establish an independent scientific advisory council to evaluate local policies.
- Develop municipal diagnostics.
- Strengthen civic justice and community prevention efforts.
- Consolidate regional rapid response networks among municipalities.
- Set up municipal coordinating offices.
- Promote independent citizen observatories.
- Move away from centralization and militarization, adopting a local proximity model.
- Enhance the professional and financial autonomy of the FGR.
- Implement transitional justice measures and macrocriminal investigations.
- Ensure citizen oversight of the National Public Security System.
Public Oversight and Citizen Supervision
López Portillo proposes the creation of public oversight entities with legal powers and independent budgets, similar to those in countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These organizations would have mixed governing bodies with both officials and citizens, remaining independent from the institutions they monitor—especially the police.
Strengthening Civil Observatories
Inspired by Colombian cities like Cali, Bogotá, and Medellín, the proposal includes fortifying civil observatories integrated by universities, churches, and social organizations. These efforts have contributed to reducing homicides and improving accountability in those cities.
Addressing Crime Penetration
López Portillo acknowledges the risk of transferring more responsibilities to municipalities controlled by criminal organizations. He warns that crime also significantly contaminates state and federal governments. To address this, he calls for deep reforms to ensure the political, technical, and financial autonomy of the FGR and considers international transitional justice mechanisms like those implemented in Colombia and Guatemala.
SNSP Failures
The Iberoamericana University criticizes the National Public Security System (SNSP) for failing to promote, evaluate, and replicate successful local practices over the past three decades. The crisis of violence, crime, and impunity will persist until this passive issue is resolved.
Key Questions and Answers
- Question: Answer: Prioritize municipalities, replicate successful local practices, establish independent scientific advisory councils, develop municipal diagnostics, strengthen civic justice and prevention efforts, consolidate regional rapid response networks, set up municipal coordinating offices, promote independent citizen observatories, move away from centralization and militarization, enhance the FGR’s autonomy, implement transitional justice measures, and ensure citizen oversight of the SNSP.
- Question: Answer: Municipal authorities are best positioned to build security, coexistence, and justice due to their direct contact with citizens on a street-by-street basis.
- Question: Answer: Deep reforms are needed to ensure the political, technical, and financial autonomy of the FGR, and international transitional justice mechanisms should be considered.
- Question: Answer: Civil observatories integrated by universities, churches, and social organizations contribute to reducing crime and improving accountability.
