Delegation of security powers to municipal governments: a study in Babahoyo
Keywords:
Citizen security, decentralization, public policies, municipal managementAbstract
The delegation of responsibilities to municipal Decentralized Autonomous Governments (GADs) in matters of security is a strategy aimed at improving local management in response to the increase in violence in Babahoyo. The objective of this study was to provide evidence on the importance of strengthening decentralization and municipal autonomy in security management, promoting more effective public policies adapted to local realities. A descriptive and field investigation was conducted, based on surveys applied to two groups: residents of Barrio Lindo under the age of 65 and legal operators specializing in Administrative Law. The results showed a general perception of insecurity in the canton, with 90% of respondents rating their sector as very unsafe and 70% expressing distrust in the management of municipal GAD in security. Furthermore, 80% of the legal operators considered that the delegation of responsibilities could significantly contribute to the reduction of crime. It is concluded that the decentralization of security responsibilities would allow the municipal GAD to formulate more effective and contextualized strategies, optimizing resource allocation and strengthening local governance. Implementing reforms in the current regulatory framework is proposed as a necessary step to facilitate the transfer of these responsibilities and improve security in Babahoyo.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Tito Cruz-Viscarra, Jhovanna Cecilia González-Alvarado, Yulianne Nallerly Ycaza-Villasagua, Katrina Julissa Ordóñez-Murillo
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