Community safety groups are voluntary community organisations whose primary goal is to complement — never replace — the work of the Public Force and State institutions in crime prevention and peaceful coexistence.
This document establishes the fundamental guidelines for the formation, organisation, operation and sustainability of these groups, with special emphasis on the legal framework, ethical conduct and inter-institutional coordination.
1
Foundations & Legal Framework
- Verify the country/municipality's regulatory framework: in Costa Rica, community safety committees coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security and municipalities.
- Register with the relevant institution: the canton's police station, the municipality, or both.
- Establish internal regulations that define functions, responsibilities and limits of action.
- Make clear from the outset that the group complements — does not replace — the Public Force.
2
Internal Organisation
Recommended basic structure
| Role | Main function |
|---|---|
| General coordinator | Liaison with authorities and group spokesperson |
| Secretary | Record of minutes, incidents and communications |
| Treasurer | Fund management if applicable |
| Sector leaders | Coverage by assigned quadrants or streets |
| Communications officer | Management of WhatsApp groups and social media |
Operational guidelines
- Define a minimum number of participants per geographic sector.
- Hold regular meetings (at least monthly).
- Rotate leadership roles to avoid concentration of power.
3
Recruitment & Member Profile
- Must be a resident of the community.
- Adults only, with no criminal record.
- Voluntary commitment and confidentiality agreement.
- Onboarding process with a data form and introduction to the group.
- Explicitly exclude people with conflicts of interest or ties to illegal activities.
4
Training
Arrange workshops with the Public Force or municipality on:
- Basic first aid.
- Incident observation and reporting techniques.
- Human rights and limits of civilian action.
- Neighbourhood conflict management.
- Responsible use of social media in safety contexts.
5
Operational Protocols
During an incident
- Observe — do not intervene physically.
- Report immediately to 911 or the local station.
- Document: time, description, licence plates if applicable.
- Notify the group coordinator.
- Log in the community incident register.
Patrols & surveillance
- Always patrol in pairs or groups, never alone.
- At agreed times communicated to the police station.
- Wear visible identification (vest, badge).
- Never carry weapons or detain people.
6
Communication & Tools
- Create segmented WhatsApp groups: one operational (coordinators) and one informational (residents in general).
- Establish clear rules: do not spread rumours, do not post photos of minors or unconfirmed suspects.
- Keep an incident log (physical or digital).
- Connect with any municipal reporting app or platform if available.
7
Institutional Coordination
- Assign a Public Force liaison officer as a permanent contact.
- Participate in Canton Safety Committees if they exist.
- Report periodic statistics to the municipality.
- Request institutional support for training, materials or visibility.
8
Non-negotiable Ethical Principles
⚠️ Lines that must never be crossed
- No member may act as a law enforcement agent or detain, search or intimidate people.
- Racial profiling or discriminatory surveillance is prohibited.
- Residents' personal information is strictly confidential.
- Zero tolerance for vigilante justice.
- Internal conflicts are not aired on social media.
- The group must remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times.
9
Group Sustainability
- Celebrate achievements and acknowledge voluntary participation.
- Renew commitments annually.
- Evaluate impact with simple indicators: incidents reported, police response, perception of safety.
- Remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times.