Last Saturday, President Guillermo Lasso declared, on national television, the inauguration of the “Security Crusade”, the beginning of a series of reforms aimed at stopping the spiral of violence engulfing our nation. Easing the carrying of weapons, the first announced measure, caused great controversy. While many celebrate it as a justification of a citizen’s right to defend his life and property, others see it as a dangerous measure that will worsen the structural violence in our country.

Regardless of one’s opinion on this measure, the truth is that proponents and detractors agree on one thing: it fails. Indeed, while allowing citizens to defend themselves is a sensible measure, the truth is that it must go hand in hand with radical reforms that affirm and strengthen the state’s ability to defend us all. And the very fact that this measure was announced in itself leads many to interpret it as an admission that the state can no longer fulfill its role as a guarantor of social peace.

But what was announced was the beginning of a security crusade, and the “crusade” is not just one measure. A package of reforms has been promised, so a judgment can only be made when they are all published. However, it would be good for the executive to include some of the ideas coming from civil society in this package. Below I present seven of them, which I think should be part of the discussion:

1. Use the surplus to drastically increase your security budget. At least triple the police force in Guayaquil and provide them with better equipment, weapons and salaries.

2. Modernize and rationalize the logistical system of the police, so that there is an immediate reaction to the commission of a criminal act.

3. Engage international expert advice in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.

(…) Many of these measures do not depend only on the executive… the participation of all powers of the state will be necessary.

4. Enable judges in charge of cases of contract killings and drug trafficking to do so virtually from other countries, where they and their families enjoy protection.

5. Centralize the system of constitutional guarantees in criminal matters in order to put an end to the “habeas corpus” circus. That the judges who resolve these measures also enjoy extraordinary protection.

6. Support police officers who use weapons in the fight against crime with greater legal guarantees. Let no policeman go to jail for doing his duty.

7. Build minimum security prisons for non-violent crimes. May someone who has not paid child support never be locked up with a murderer again.

The implementation of many of these measures does not depend only on the executive branch, but will require the participation of all the powers of the state. But it is necessary for the president to be the one to bring such ideas to the table and start a public debate. Only with such radical reforms will we be able to talk about the real “crusade for security” that the country needs. (OR)