With a force rarely seen in the National Assembly, one hundred and twenty-six legislators have just approved the text of the draft Organic Law on the reform of the Organic Code of Territorial Organization, Autonomy and Decentralization (Cootad). Among the reforms is the reorganization of municipal citizens’ security councils, in which, in addition to the technical participation of the National Police, the participation of neighboring organizations of each canton and members of the academy is mandatory.

Although it is true that this function of municipal decentralized autonomous authorities already existed, the inclusion of districts (legally organized) and universities and polytechnics, so that they contribute ideas and proposals of civil society, as well as human and technological talent in order to help in better planning and implementation of municipal policy on citizen security issues, we must see it as a reform that will help engage citizens to get out of the lethargy in which they are currently immersed, as well as dimension the urgent need to involve all actors who are part of the city’s life, in order to find solutions for citizens’ insecurity.

Nine employees of the Teodoro Maldonado Carbo hospital resigned after the murder of the administrative director

The right to the city is the right of all citizens to shape the destiny of the place in which we live together with the authorities. According to the words of our Constitution, the realization of this right is based on the democratic management of the city, on the social and ecological function of property, and on the full realization of the rights of citizenship. And that fullness cannot be achieved by waiting for national and local governments to deal with our security separately and in isolation. What happened at a car dealership in the city of Quito is proof that if we don’t come together as a society to confront the violent crime we’re currently living with, they will continue to win the game.

Praying and on their knees, this is how the residents and traders of Sauces 9 faced moments of terror due to the explosives attached to the guardhouse

(…) we have to see it as a reform that will help public engagement to come out of lethargy…

As is known, criminal activity comes from individuals with cracks in family life, low education, few alternative jobs in life, among others. The social environment, the incentives of the illegal market, and the ineffectiveness of security entities and the justice system also have an impact. Actions, therefore, in the fight against crime must include the family, the school, the neighborhood, economic regulations, the police and judicial institutions. (Responsible state and participation in citizen security in Latin America. Guerrero Aray, Balseca Macías and Guerreo Aray. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=7777230).

After all of the above, I believe that the time has come for a large civic “minga” – without flags and political calculations – led by our local authorities who will soon take office, to manage spaces for dialogue and participation of citizens who contribute resources, ideas and talents of all kinds to the service their cities. We have to start now. Then it will be too late. (OR)