Crime and Pollution in Merida

Crime Data in Merida

Crime Perception and Concerns

In 2024, Merida faces significant challenges regarding crime, with many residents expressing heightened concern about personal safety and the increasing crime rates.

While corruption and property crimes dominate the public's worries, Merida's crime index suggests the city experiences high crime levels.

Some notable concerns include:

• Property Crimes - Property crimes, including theft and home burglaries, are prevalent in Merida and contribute significantly to the city's crime statistics. Such crimes foster a pervasive sense of insecurity among residents.
• Drug-Related Issues - Drug-related activities pose a notable threat, impacting public perception and the overall sense of community safety. While not the top concern, it still significantly influences Merida's social atmosphere.
• Violent Crimes - Violent crimes are a major concern in Merida, with locals fearing mugging and robbery. These anxieties, combined with worries of being insulted or harassed, add to the overall negative perception of safety.
• Public Safety - Public safety perceptions vary, with a stark contrast between daylight and nighttime safety. Residents feel particularly unsafe after dark, with concerns about common crimes escalating during these hours.

Crime Trends and Safety

• Rising Crime Concerns - There is a palpable anxiety about the increase in crime, reflecting in public discourse and collective consciousness. This concern spans multiple crime categories, notably property and violent crimes.
• Specific Fears - Residents express heightened worries about car theft and experiencing violence, though fears related to skin color or religion are exceptionally low, which is a somewhat positive aspect in an otherwise troubling safety landscape.

Summary of Crime in Merida

Merida's crime situation in 2024 requires urgent attention to address escalating property and violent crimes. Increased security measures and effective community policing could improve the currently low safety perception and reduce fear among residents.

Crime Rankings

The crime ranking by city for Venezuela is based on a continuously updated index, incorporating data up to 36 months old and calculated twice a year. Cities are ranked on a scale from "very low" to "very high" crime levels, with safety being the inverse, where a high safety index indicates a safer city.

1. Caracas

Venezuela

Air Quality and Pollution Levels

In contrast to its crime issues, Merida boasts excellent air quality, with minimal pollution from particulate matter, reflecting positively on residents' well-being.

The city's low pollution index underlines how effective air quality management has been, alleviating potential health concerns related to air pollution.

• PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter) - The non-existent PM2.5 levels in Merida underscore the exceptional air quality, contributing positively to the living conditions and health of the population.
• PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter) - PM10 levels are also at negligible levels, highlighting Merida's significant achievement in maintaining clean and breathable air in the urban environment.

Waste and Noise Pollution

Challenges remain in waste management and noise pollution, with some residents expressing dissatisfaction with the cleanliness and noise levels in certain areas.

Despite good air quality, these other pollution parameters suggest areas that require improvement.

• Garbage Disposal Satisfaction - While Merida excels in air quality, satisfaction with garbage disposal is neutral, indicating potential room for upgrades in waste management practices.
• Noise and Light Pollution - Noise pollution poses significant challenges, impacting the tranquility of city life. This issue is particularly pronounced in bustling areas and has been recognized as a quality of life concern.

Green Spaces and Water Quality

Merida thrives in terms of green spaces and water quality, both of which are highly praised by residents and add to the city's environmental appeal.

These aspects not only promote sustainability but also enhance the quality of life, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to enjoy well-maintained natural areas and reliable water supplies.

• Green and Parks Quality - The city's green spaces are a standout feature, offering excellent recreational opportunities and contributing significantly to the perceived environmental quality.
• Drinking Water Quality - Residents of Merida benefit from high-quality drinking water, which is both accessible and reliable, reinforcing the city's strengths in environmental management.

Pollution Rankings

The pollution ranking for Venezuela is based on a combination of visitor perceptions and data from institutions like the World Health Organization. The Pollution Index estimates overall pollution levels by considering air and water pollution, garbage disposal, and other factors, with air pollution given the highest weight, while the Pollution Exp Scale uses an exponential function to highlight extremely polluted cities.

1. Caracas

Venezuela