This Is How Medellin Will Combat Its Latest Crime Wave
A spike in brazen robberies throughout the Aburra Valley has prompted action from the authorities.
By Kaveh Paymayesh
In the Medellin Metro Area, armed robberies are growing in frequency and audacity.
Specifically, 8 of 10 municipalities in the Aburra Valley have registered an increase from last year – a figure that has forced mayor Daniel Quintero into action.
An increase in 'fleteos'
What are fleteos? Fleteos are Medellin’s most prevalent form of robbery – typically involving 2 individuals on a motorbike. They are quick, agile, and highly opportunistic.
The use of bikes proves to be problematic for Medellin’s police. Not only are they inconspicuous amongst the sea of other motorists, but they are also nimble. The ability to dart through dense traffic and evade the scene of the crime makes them a formidable resource for criminals.
At the time of writing this, there have been 5,399 recorded robberies in 2022, exceeding the figure of 4,538 for 2021. This represents an increase of 861 cases – a 16% increase.
This data comes from the Metropolitan Police of the Aburra Valley.
In the image below, we can see that crime has increased in 8 of the 10 different municipalities that make up the Metropolitan Area.
Caldas and Girardota are the only two that have not recorded an increase in armed robberies from 2021.
Envigado has also fared relatively well, with a 1% increase in reported robberies.
When it comes to data, there are always questions. This is especially true in Colombia…
In recent years, authorities have pushed for civilians to denounce crimes. Unfortunately, in the region of Latin America, this is often not the case.
There is a chance that robberies have not increased, but that instead, people are reporting a higher percentage of them.
When reading blogs about crime & safety in Medellin, you’ll often find that answers are more informed by sentiments and case studies rather than reliable data. Reliable data is hard to acquire.
Sadly, in recent months, there has been no shortage of horror stories.
Crime wave - alarming incidents
In the first quarter of 2022, there have been some alarming events captured on camera.
25/02 - Robbery in The Click Clack Hotel
In one of Medellin’s most luxurious hotels, a pair of thugs robbed a table of guests. They helped themselves to wallets, phones and accessories.
The method of the robbery? None other than the trial and tested fleteo; two individuals, one that robs at gunpoint whilst the accomplice waits by bike.
This occurred in one of the city’s most popular hotels, located two blocks above Lleras Park. No more than 900 yards.
This event was particularly shocking as it demonstrated that criminals are growing brazen. Not even the most fortified of areas are immune to opportunistic criminals.
19/03 - Two Chilean nationals surrendered their Rolex watches in Las Palmas
In another tourist hotspot, a pair of fleteros dispossessed two international visitors of their Rolex watches. However, thanks to the quick response of the police, these same watches were recovered and returned.
For more information, read here.
🎥 Video cortesía Denuncias Antioquia
— El Colombiano (@elcolombiano) March 19, 2022
February - 2 foreigners robbed and beaten in 24 hours via dating app hookups
In the affluent district of Laureles, two separate events transpired within 24 hours. Both involved the violent assault and robbery of foreigners after they had organized an online meetup. Of the two victims, one died whilst the other was inflicted with life-changing trauma.
27/02 - Approximately 15 hikers were robbed in the midst of a popular trail
On the western fringe of the valley, some 15 hikers were ‘politely’ held up at gunpoint and forced to hand over their goods.
In this case, police captured the authors of the robbery and recovered the stolen items.
Denuncias Antioquia
There are now several online groups dedicated to exposing crimes that happen in the valley. One of these groups is Denuncias Antioquia. They are active on YouTube with a multitude of videos that highlight the frequency of theft and robbery.
How is mayor Daniel Quintero responding to the latest crime wave?
Flying in the face of the mayor’s slogan, “Medellin va bien”, or “Medellin is going well”, is the reality of growing crime.
Right now, the foreign footprint in the city is at an all-time high. Medellin is emerging as an international destination. Furthermore, the city continues to parade its historic downward trends of homicides and violent crime.
There is great potential for the valley, and so the pressure has been mounting for the mayor to act swiftly.
How has he responded?
On Wednesday, March 23, Daniel Quintero announced the delivery of 100 ‘high performance’ motorbikes and 15 pickup trucks. In a show of strength, the mayor commemorated the arrival of the fleet with a ceremony held at the Parque de las Luces.
Will this be enough to lower crime? I’m sceptical.
If I’ve learnt anything, it’s that criminals are opportunistic. They capitalize on the briefest of moments. An increased police presence creates fewer opportunities for criminals but does not eliminate them altogether.
La @PoliciaMedellin se vuelve más fuerte para enfrentar a la criminalidad. Entregamos 115 automotores nuevos: 100 motocicletas Honda XRE 300, 13 camionetas Chevrolet Colorado y 2 Camionetas Nissan Frontier. La Policía de Medellín es la mejor dotada con tecnología del país. pic.twitter.com/2uFiDIbPLn
— Daniel Quintero Calle (@QuinteroCalle) March 23, 2022
What else is being done to combat the crime wave?
In February of 2021, Quintero announced the formation of the Anti-robbery Squad (Escuadron Antifleteo).
In essence, it is a growing unit dedicated chiefly to motorbike-based robberies (fleteos). The squad purports to deal with theft comprehensively; everything from prevention, capture and prosecution. Yet, did this action prove to be meaningful so far? No.
Although 110 robbers were caught by the end of 2021, a figure higher than in previous years, it did not stop violent robberies from increasing by 29% from 2020.
Finally, there are over 225 panic buttons installed primarily in the sectors of El Poblado and Laureles.
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