Success stories of incorporating data from observatories into polices and programs – Do they exist?

1. Success stories of incorporating data from
observatories into polices and programs –
Do they exist?
Vivien Carli, vcarli@crime-prevention-intl.org
International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC)

2. Experience regarding the implementation and
continuity of observatories shows us that a series
of requirements need to be met to ensure the
achievement of its purposes [i.e. Offers monitoring
and analysis tools for decision-making, informs
strategic content of public policy]....

3. • Political considerations
• Coordination and linkage with different actors
• Training of human resources and monitoring
• Sustainability and viability
• Political neutrality and objectivity
• Good public visibility
• Clear linkage between scope and functions
Requirements = Success factors

4. What does actual ‘success’ look like?

5. QUIZ – Which of the following are ‘success
stories’?
CASE 1
•Regionally based
•Strategic position - Recognized by
Commission of Police Chiefs and
Presidents of Central America
•Systematize violence and crime
data among some members
•National security and police links
•Highly skilled staff
•Model projects
•Part of a strong network
CASE 2
•Local initiative
•Strong partnership between
health, police, shelters, civil
society
•10 year guaranteed funding
•Monthly partner meetings
•Close links with the police
•Eventually scaled up to become
regional monitoring system
•Part of movement to develop a
prevention Strategy

6. Why did they fail?
• Oversaturation of Observatories in the region
• No other similar initiatives
• Donor funding ran out
• Mismanagement of funding, rushed approach and no proper
plan
• Lack of buy-in / use by countries and other actors
• Lack of political interest
• Too broad
• Rushed process of scaling up to national level, no impact
• High turn-over, poor transfer of skills

7. Are there any success stories?

8. Observatório de Segurança Pública de Canoas, Brazil – Municipal
• It is a priority for municipal officials, seen as the ‘holy grail’
• Government focus on evidence-base
• Solid/ multi-agency partnership
• Key position
• Integrated and important mission
• Regular meetings
• Data collected crucial for police work and municipal policies
• Urban security issue to national action

9. Re-think our success factors -> Hidden / indirect
successes
+ Use of data to enhance research, project proposals,
community awareness campaigns -> Becomes a means to
build capacity within the country and influence change
+ Discourse change - Government interest in evidence-based,
results-led policymaking
+ Strong networks - Complex web of interconnections with
government departments, NGOs, research/data centers
+ New forms of communication across actors – Dialogue
+ Observatory taking the role of a coordinating body
+ Rise of prevention Strategies

10. Thank you
For more information on ICPC and the upcoming
4th
International Observatories meeting in
Colombia,
please visit the ICPC website:
http://www.crime-prevention-intl.org