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Fear of Crime and Perception of Police Performance in Cape Verde

A recent survey conducted in Cape Verde has revealed stark differences in the experiences and perceptions of citizens living in urban and rural areas.

Urban-Rural Divide

While respondents from rural areas felt much safer than those from cities, the majority of urban residents considered burglary as likely or very likely to occur. According to the survey:

56% of respondents from urban areas believed that they were at risk of being burgled.
Only 26% of those living in rural areas shared this concern.
A significant proportion of urban residents (43%) reported having experienced crime in their neighborhood, compared to just 14% of rural dwellers.

Perception of Police Performance

When it comes to the perception of police performance, respondents from both urban and rural areas were largely dissatisfied with the level of safety provided by law enforcement. Only:

29% of urban residents
35% of rural residents

expressed confidence in the ability of the police to keep them safe.

Corruption and Bribery

The survey also delved into corruption and bribery among public officials. Findings include:

Approximately 5% of citizens interviewed in urban areas reported being asked to pay bribes.
A staggering 8.5% of those living in Praia, the capital city, had experienced this form of corruption.
Respondents from both urban and rural areas pointed to politicians as the top culprits, followed by customs officials and government officials.
Police officers ranked only sixth in the list of perceived corrupt individuals.

Unofficial Payments

The survey also found that businesses are frequently asked to make unofficial payments or retributions to public officials in order to obtain various services, including:

Vehicle fitness certificates
Authorizations from municipalities
Advancing legal proceedings with the judiciary
Clearing goods with customs

Public Official Corruption

Finally, a significant proportion of police officers (31.5%) and public employees (25.2%) reported having been approached by someone who wanted to pay or give a gift in exchange for a service that should have been provided free of charge.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings highlight the need for improved law enforcement and anti-corruption measures in Cape Verde, particularly in urban areas where crime is more prevalent. The government must work to increase public trust in the police and other public officials, while also addressing the root causes of corruption and bribery among these individuals.