US embassy cable - 05SANTIAGO2131

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 002131 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EX, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/OPO 
OBO/OPS/AM/WHA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, ASEC, ABLD, CI 
SUBJECT: CHILE: INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL CRIME & ACTION REQUEST 
 
 
1.  SUMMARY.  There has been a significant increase in 
residential crime and burglaries within the last 10 
months in Santiago's metropolitan area.  The Embassy leases or 
owns 45 residences in Lo Barnechea and La Dehesa.  These are 
popular suburbs close to the American School and above Santiago's 
heavy pollution line.  Since November 2004, five embassy 
residences have been burglarized.  Other criminal activity 
(including vandalism, robberies and attempted assault) has 
involved Embassy family members or household staff in the area. 
Post requests supplementary funds for its residential security 
program to help prevent additional burglaries and vandalism 
(Action Request in para 9).  END SUMMARY. 
 
2.  During November - December 2004, three Embassy residences 
were burglarized.  In May and October 2005, two more Embassy 
residences were burglarized, and there were confirmed attempts on 
at least two others.  Although the burglaries were committed 
while the residents were away from home, recent reports by the 
Chilean police indicate that home invasions are increasing in 
these popular suburbs.  During this same timeframe, RSO received 
reports from Embassy residents who had been victims of attempted 
sexual assaults, robberies, burglary of motor vehicles, vandalism 
and street scams. 
 
3.  La Dehesa and Lo Barnechea are two sought-after suburbs 
close to the Embassy and American schools.  Four years ago, 
RSO identified these neighborhoods as low crime areas in 
the Santiago metro area.  Recently, the crime rate has 
skyrocketed.  These areas of town are growing by leaps and 
bounds.  Most of the new construction that takes place in La 
Dehesa and Lo Barnechea is for large, walled, single-family 
residences.  The suburbs are serviced by local police with random 
neighborhood patrols.  The sale prices of the homes in this area 
range from $200,000 to over 1 million dollars. 
 
4.  The increase in crime is due to several factors.  The 
enormous increase in construction projects throughout the 
suburbs brings an influx of transient workers, street vendors, 
and vagrants on a daily basis.  It is not uncommon to see groups 
of five or six individuals walking to and from construction 
sites.  The same individuals often stop at or near embassy 
residences, looking through trash or loitering under trees. 
Roving delinquents and other mobile criminals attracted to the 
affluent area commit a large portion of the crime.  Local police 
admit this is a serious problem.  They are having a difficult 
time prosecuting these criminals, and the number of 
investigations of crimes and suspicious activity in La Dehesa/Lo 
Barnechea has overwhelmed them. 
 
5.  Chilean homeowners have been augmenting security at 
their residences over the past year.  Bars on windows and 
doors are becoming common throughout the neighborhoods. 
Individual homes often have their own guards.  More then fifty 
percent of Chilean homeowners have installed electric fencing and 
razor (concertina) wire around their property perimeters. 
 
6.  Santiago is currently at medium risk for crime and the 
Embassy's residential security program effectiveness is falling 
behind the rest of our neighbors.  Embassy residences are no 
longer the hardest target on the block, but one of the softest. 
While the Embassy residences have alarm systems, this is not a 
deterrent.  Criminals who have burglarized our residences know 
how to enter without triggering the alarm's contact and motion 
detector sensors.  Houses in La Dehesa/Lo Barnechea are all 
constructed using large sliding glass doors and windows in order 
to maximize ventilation in this city where residential air 
conditioning is rare.  Once inside the perimeter wall, a 
criminal's entry into the house through the glass, presently 
without bars in nearly every Embassy residence, is relatively 
easy.  Understaffed local police are very slow to respond and the 
criminals are aware that they have plenty of time to ransack the 
residence and make their getaway.  Because the Embassy's roving 
patrol is unarmed, they are not our first line of defense.  To 
combat this vulnerability, RSO and the Emergency Action Committee 
(EAC) believe housing perimeter defenses must be strengthened. 
 
7.  Post is exploring options, such as giving these roving 
patrols limited access to USG-leased/owned properties, so 
that they can enter the outer gates and do a quick visual check 
around the grounds.  This would require written 
permission/waivers from Embassy residents.  While the Embassy 
housing pool in La Dehesa/Lo Barnechea has grown over the past 
four years, the roving patrol has not.  Frequent contact with the 
Carabineros results in goodwill and the best of intentions, but 
they are woefully under-funded and understaffed in a country 
where the ratio of policeman to citizen is 1:1600. 
 
8.  As crime increases in the suburbs, it is also increasing in 
town.  The media has been reporting that major construction is 
planned for two properties directly across from and behind the 
Embassy.  Currently a university owns the land directly behind 
the rear Embassy wall.  Large soccer fields occupy the property. 
Construction plans call for several 20-story office/ condominium 
buildings.  Directly across from the Embassy is a two-story 
building with numerous stores and restaurants.  This building 
will be demolished and replaced by a 45-story building. 
Construction is set to begin in 2006.  Both DS and OBO were 
advised of these construction plans during their recent visits to 
post. 
 
9.  ACTION REQUEST:  Post requests funds in the amount of $40,000 
to install razor wire around the perimeter of our existing USG- 
leased residences in La Dehesa/Lo Barnechea, Embassy perimeter 
wall and Deputy Chief of Mission's USG-owned residence.  Post 
also requests additional funds under function code 5823 to hire a 
second mobile patrol. 
 
10.  Mission understands Continuing Resolution restrictions and 
potential future budget cuts do not bode well for this request, 
but we will appreciate any support to help alleviate this 
security and morale problem. 
 
KELLY