Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – A significant shift in public perception has propelled Puerto Vallarta into the top ten of Mexico’s safest cities, according to the most recent National Urban Public Safety Survey (ENSU). In the third quarter of 2023, Puerto Vallarta was ranked the fifth safest city in Mexico, making a notable ascent from its previous position at 13th place.
The ENSU study, conducted between August 28 and September 15, 2023, reveals a promising trend for Puerto Vallarta. The city has seen a steady decrease in the percentage of residents who consider it unsafe to live in their city, landing most recently at 22.5%. This marks a considerable improvement throughout various surveys, with a peak of 39.4% recorded in June 2021.
The survey only measures the citizens’ perception of security through a phone poll; it does not consider the actual crime rate. While Puerto Vallarta ranks fifth as the safest city in Mexico based on the opinion of citizens, it does not mean that Puerto Vallarta ranks fifth based on the real crime statistics.
The National Perspective
Nationally, the sense of insecurity remains relatively high. As of September 2023, 61.4% of the Mexican population aged 18 and over, residing in 75 cities of interest, considered their city unsafe. This figure shows little statistical change from June 2023, where the rate was 62.3%, but it does show a slight improvement over September 2022’s 64.4%.
Out of the 75 cities surveyed, 11 showed statistically significant changes compared to the figures in June 2023. Six cities, including Puerto Vallarta, experienced reductions in their insecurity perception, while five saw increases.
Gender Disparities in Perception
The survey also highlighted a gender disparity in perception of safety. In September 2023, 67.4% of women compared to 54.1% of men nationally considered their cities unsafe to live in.
Cities with Highest and Lowest Perceptions of Insecurity
The cities grappling with the highest levels of perceived insecurity among residents 18 years and older were Fresnillo (95.4%), Ciudad Obregón (92.3%), Zacatecas (92.1%), Uruapan (91.5%), Naucalpan de Juárez (87.3%), and Toluca de Lerdo (86.2%).
In contrast, the cities enjoying the lowest levels of perceived insecurity were Benito Juárez in CDMX (15.8%), Piedras Negras (19.7%), San Pedro Garza García (20.8%), Cuajimalpa de Morelos (21.4%), Puerto Vallarta (22.5%), and Los Mochis (24.1%).
Perception of Insecurity in Specific Public Spaces
The ENSU survey also delved into the public’s perceived insecurity in specific physical locations. In September 2023, a sizable 70.8% of respondents expressed feeling unsafe at ATMs located on public roads. Moreover, 64.2% felt insecure in public transportation, 55.4% in banks, and 54.1% on the streets they frequently traverse.
The improved ranking for Puerto Vallarta comes at a critical time, underscoring efforts to enhance public safety in the region. This data will likely have far-reaching implications for both local governance and public sentiment as the city continues to focus on reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
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