Costa Rica Crime Stats
Definitions
- Acquitted: Total acquitted in criminal courts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Assault rate: Number of assaults recorded by police per 100,000 population
- Assaults: Number of assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Auto theft: Number of motor vehicle thefts (car thefts) recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years: Crime increasing in the past 3 years. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "In the past three years would you say the level of crime in your community has increased, stayed about the same, or decreased?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Burglaries: Number of burglaries recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Car thefts: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Car thefts per 1000: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
- Crime levels: Level of crime. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How serious you feel the level of crime is?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Death penalty > Abolition date: Amnesty International
- Drug offences: Drug offence cases per 100,000 population (2000).
- Drug related crime: Number of drug related crimes recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Drug trafficking: Number of drug trafficking related crimes recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Drugs > Annual cannabis use: Estimate of percentage of 15-64 year old population who use Cannabis.
- Drugs > Opiates use: Annual prevalence.
- Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night: Safety walking alone during night. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the night?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day: Safety walking alone during daylight. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the daylight?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Violent hate crime: Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked: Worries attacked. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being physically attacked by strangers?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted: Worries being insulted. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being insulted or pestered by anybody, while in the street or any other public place?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed: Worries being mugged or robbed. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being mugged and robbed?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter: Worries home broken and things stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How worried are you about....having your home broken into and something stolen?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Frauds: Total recorded frauds. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Human trafficking > Number prosecuted: Number of people prosecuted for tracking in persons (people smuggling) by country.
- Illicit drugs: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Judges: Number of professional judges per 100,000 population.
- Judges and Magistrates: Number of Judges and Magistrates
- Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year): Year of last use.
- Kidnappings: Number of kidnappings recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Murder rate: Homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants in various countries.
- Murders > Per 100,000 people: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
- Murders > WHO: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
- Murders committed by youths: Homicide rates among youths aged 10–29 years by country or area: most recent year available (variable 1990–1999).
- Murders with firearms: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Murders with firearms per million: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
- Perceived problems > Illegal drugs: Problem people using or dealing drugs. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) people using or dealing drugs?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery: Problem corruption and bribery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) corruption and bribery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery: Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft: Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) property crimes such as vandalism and theft?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
- Police officers: Number of police officers per 100,000 population.
- Prisoners: Total persons incarcerated
- Prisoners > Female: Female prisoners, expressed as a percentage share of the total prison population. Data for 2003.
- Prisoners > Per capita: Data for 2003. Number of prisoners held per 100,000 population.
- Prisoners per 1000: Total persons incarcerated. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
- Prosecution rate: Number of people prosecuted.
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Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence:
Possible other sentence.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
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Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence:
Mandatory sentence.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
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Punishment > Has life imprisonment:
Life imprisonment.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
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Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21:
Under age of 18 (or 21).
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
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Punishment > Maximum length of sentence:
Maximum length of sentence (under life).
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
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Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole:
Minimum to serve before eligibility for requesting parole.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
- Rape rate: Number of rape incidents per 100,000 citizens in different countries. Figures do not take into account rape incidents that go unreported to the police.
- Robberies: Number of robberies recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Serious assault rate: Number of major assaults recorded by police per 100,000 population
- Serious assaults: Number of major assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
- Software piracy rate: The piracy rate is the total number of units of pirated software deployed in 2007 divided by the total units of software installed.
- Suicide rates > Suicide rate (both sexes): Suicides per 100’000 residents per year.
- Suicide rates > Suicide rate (females: Female.
- Suicide rates > Suicide rate (males): Male.
- Total crimes: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
- Total crimes per 1000: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
- Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents: Number of privately owned small firearms per 100 residents.
- Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate: Homicides per 100’000 residents. Homicide is the death of a person purposefully inflicted by another person (it excludes suicides) outside of a state of war. Homicide is a broader category than murder, as it also includes manslaughter. The exact legal definition varies across countries, some of which include infanticide, assisted suicide, euthanasia and deaths caused by dangerous driving.
- Violent crime > Murder rate: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
- Violent crime > Murder rate per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
- Violent crime > Murders: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
- Violent crime > Murders per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
- Violent crime > Rapes: The number of recorded rapes. Large numbers of rapes go unreported. South Africa is estimated to have 500,000 rapes per year, Egypt 200,000, China 32,000 and the UK with 85,000 rapes per year.
- Violent crime > Rapes per million people: The number of recorded rapes. Large numbers of rapes go unreported. South Africa is estimated to have 500,000 rapes per year, Egypt 200,000, China 32,000 and the UK with 85,000 rapes per year. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
SOURCES: The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; crime; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Last updated: 01/04/03; https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2011/World_Drug_Report_2011_ebook.pdf, World Drug Report 2011, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2011, p. 217.; Wikipedia: List of countries by prevalence of opiates use ("World Drug Report 2011" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2011. "World Drug Report 2006" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2006. http://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/WDR_2009/WDR2009_eng_web.pdf); CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; Wikipedia: Capital punishment in Europe (Abolition); UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Survey of Crime Trends, at http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/IHS-rates-05012009.pdf.; World Health Organisation.; World Health Organization: World report on violence and health, 2002; International Centre for Prison Studies - World Prison Brief; Wikipedia: Life imprisonment (Summary by country); UN Crime Stats; Fifth Annual BSA and IDC Global Software Piracy Study; Wikipedia: List of countries by suicide rate (Suicide rates per 100,000 by country, year and sex (Table) ); The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Wikipedia: List of United States extradition treaties; Annexe I of the Small Arms Survey 2007 ; Wikipedia: List of countries by intentional homicide rate by decade; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Statistics : Crime : Sexual Violence (UNODC) and Crime Statistics : Sexual Violence Against Children and Rape, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Statistics : Crime : Sexual Violence (UNODC) and Crime Statistics : Sexual Violence Against Children and Rape, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.
Citation
Costa Rica Crime Profiles (Subcategories)
| Corruption 3 | Prosecutions 8 |
| Fear of crime 9 | Punishment 6 |
| Organised crime gang membership 4 | Smuggling of migrants 6 |
| Perceived problems 4 | Suicide rates 3 |
| Prisoners 5 | Violent crime 8 |
- Costa Rica ranked third for prisoners > female amongst Christian countries in 2003.
- Costa Rica ranked second for prisoners > per capita amongst Former Spanish colonies in 2003.
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>Brendan Dobbins: Australian tourist, disappeared in Tamarindo in 2005 his remains were found 6 months later – Still no clues as to how he died
>David Gimelfarb – US tourist disappeared in Rincon de Vieja on 11 August 2009 – Still missing
>Craig Schnell – US expat disappeared on 18 February 2009 in Ostional. Body found – No clue how he died
>Michael Dixon – British tourist disappeared in Tamarindo on 18 October 2009 – Still missing
>John Scibeck – US tourist murdered in Playa Portrero on 31 December 2009 – Case remains unsolved
>Kelly Robert Nutting – US expat found 8 March in the Ocean near Golfito with hands tied and feet in concrete. Costa Rican police initially pose it as a suicide.
>Two Austrian expats – disappeared December 2009 – Still missing, a man was found with their 4×4 and using their credit card but police say there is not enough evidence.
>Roger Peter Biennvennu – US tourist disappeared in Barrio Quebradas early July 2010 – Still missing
>Kim Paris – Canadian expat disappeared in Santa Teresa 25 August 2010. Still missing
>Austin Allen Hiers, 23 year old US tourist found dead on the side of the main road in Tamarindo 21 October 2010. Body full of bruises and gash on his head. Authorities say he died of a heart attack.
Posted on 13 Dec 2010
Costa Tourist News
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Thank you in advance for your help.
PRESS RELEASE
6 December 2010
World Wide Outcry To Stop Gender Violence Against UK Woman Burned In Costa Rica
We are asking people from across the world, including key human rights activists, women's rights activists, public intellectuals and citizens groups to support a global petition demanding action from Costa Rican President, Laura Chinchilla.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFJ0iErN0ME
• August, 2010, 62 year old Patricia Simpson of United Kingdom was burned with cigarettes, had lighter fluid poured on her stomach and private's and set ablaze in her home in Costa Rica. She was left to lay on the floor and denied assistance and medical attention by her landlord and gardner for four days.
• August, September & October 2010, Patricia Simpson repeatedly contacted the local authorities for help and was denied. She attempted to file a formal complaint and police report against this man and was denied.
• November 26, 2010, her friend Steve Bryant took her to the Defensoria de Habitantes in the country's capital where she was allowed to file a complaint against her attackers.
• November 28, 2010, Patricia Simpson's friend, Steve Bryant of Canada reached out to the world via YouTube to ask for assistance to bring this issue to the President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla.
• November 30, 2010, Costa Rica Canal 6 featured the story on the 6pm and 11 pm news to bring awareness to the crime. Once again Patricia Simpson and Steve Bryant asked for assistance in bringing justice against the men who did this. Steve Bryant of Canada raised a fundamental point of principle, which is “how can this 62 year old woman be attacked in this way and receive no police assistance and no help in aprehending the men who did this to herâ€.
• December 1, 2010, Steve Bryant posted the news story on his youtube channel. The story began to appear on facebook and other social media channels. Three other victims came forth to share their similar stories of being stalked and attacked by the same man.
• December 2, 2010, The website http://StalkingInCostaRica.com appeared with the aim to bring worldwide attention to the stalking against expatriate women crimes occuring in Costa Rica that are not being prosecuted. Another victim states that 3 years ago she had a similar ocurance and stalking is not recognized as a crime in Costa Rica. The man implicated is a US Citizen. Her court documents say he is utilizing the lack of law protecting women from this crime to continue to make violent attacks on expatriate women.
• December 3, 2010, Online petition to Laura Chinchilla created. Please help this cause by signing the following petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41144.html
• December 5, 2010, Victim number 5 speaks out against this man.
• December 6, 2010, Update video posted to you tube and visitor's hit over 22,500. Here is the channel that holds all of the videos: http://www.youtube.com/buscoalaurachinchill#g/f
NEWS STORIES:
1) http://www.usexpatcostarica.com/2010/12/appeal-to-president-laura-chinchilla-misdirected/
2) http://guanacastehoy.com/%C3%9Altimas-noticias/anciana-agredida-busca-proteccion-de-autoridades.html
3) http://amcostaricaarchives.com/2010/11/when-police-failed-to-act-man-takes-to-youtube-for-help/
Posted on 06 Dec 2010
Costa Rica Victim
