Security in the PC

So one question on everyone’s mind, especially the relatives of the volunteer, is security while the volunteer is serving in country. We work in under-developed countries, many with a past history of internal conflict of some sort. But part of the benefits of Peace Corps is the support network it builds for it’s country program. Besides the medical team, each Peace Corps country has a security director that is responsible for all things relating to safety and security in country. The director is usually a national who has experience working in safety/security related affairs (in Peru, the security director is an ex-Army officer).

Before the volunteer moves into site, the security director visits the area and evaluates the site to determine whether it’s safe or not (robberies, thefts, drugs, gangs, etc). He also helps determining where the volunteer will live, and when a host family is chosen, will assess the house and the room for potential vulnerabilities. And before move-in, the volunteers are trained on how to make their living situation safer and how to talk with the families to install security features (solid doors that lock, an outside light, bars for windows).

During training, volunteers are given a series of security lectures about how to assess situations and keep yourself safe. This usually includes the issues of drinking/partying. Also, the director briefs trainees on any major events that might affect security and also about how Peace Corps responds to any threat of safety and security. And during training and while at site, trainees/volunteers can call the security officer at any time of the day for any reason.

Personal security is something that, at heart, the volunteer is responsible for. So keeping your wits about you and just being smart in certain situations is the best prevention. Don’t walk alone at night in dark places, don’t be known for having a lot of really expensive stuff and carrying it around with you wherever you go. Also, make friends and be known in the community. Be known be all your neighbors and be friendly. Keeping a profile in the community will deter a lot of petty crimes as community pressures might make robbers think twice about you as a target.

But as our director says, ‘This isn’t your country. This isn’t your language. So when something happens, it’s not your fault’. And this is true. Crime does happen. Usually just petty robbery of theft, sometimes assault or what have you. And sometimes serious stuff does happen. That’s why volunteers also have constant ability to contact the security director at any hour to report any emergency or occurrence. In our case in Peru, the security director can talk to the police, talk to you, and figure out what to do with the situation. At least it’s a denuncia, or a report documenting the case. If you want to prosecute, Peace Corps will help you with the legal steps and support you (although they won’t represent you). Most of all, the security director is there to support you. Our security director has a large number of resources and contacts. For example, he was able to track down a stolen laptop in a black market. But crime does happen, unfortunately. The best thing to do is know how to prevent it, and what to do in case it happens.