(14 Nov 1997) Spanish/Nat
Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, long considered a safe haven compared to other more dangerous South American cities is being plagued by a crime wave.
Only this week a bomb was discovered outside the British Embassy in Buenos Aires.
In response, the government has stepped up security in the capital calling on the army and border guards to boost security forces.
Since Argentina's military dictatorship ended in 1983 the army has kept a low profile.
But this week the government called up military reinforcements to help boost security in Buenos Aires.
In the last year crime has surged in the Argentine capital and the police have been unable to control the increased violence.
The Jewish community was particularly targeted in the early 1990s, and security forces have been deployed to buildings linked to this community and Arab institutions.
From now on, this Jewish hospital will have a round the clock police guard.
Secretary of Security Juan Pelacci tried to reassure the nation that the government was responding.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"It's not something new in the world but it is hitting our communities really hard. And from now on together, in solidarity, united, the men of the security forces and of the Argentine Federal Police - the forces of the national government - are responding and will guarantee the protection and guardianship of all inhabitants within the law and rules."
SUPER CAPTION: Juan Pelacci, Secretary of Security
But it is not just the Jewish community in Buenos Aires that is worried about violent crime, a recent survey showed the city's inhabitants are demanding more protection from the police.
In a recent poll, one in three Buenos Aires residents said they had been assaulted recently their neighbourhoods.
This man says he feels very vulnerable as an older person in Buenos Aires.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"In fact right here on this corner of Uruguay and Paraguay someone stole a Rolex watch I had that I loved very much. I was in the car and I had the window open and a person came along and held me by the neck and took the watch - in the plain light of day."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Many point to unemployment, which has doubled to 16 per cent since President Carlos Menem took office in 1989, as the main cause for the crime wave.
But others disagree.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"I don't think the only reason is a lack of work. You don't suddenly become a thief just because you're don't have a job. I think it's a cultural problem."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
The government believes a hard hand is needed and has created a heavily armed "elite force" to crack down on the crime.
It has also proposed introducing tougher laws to prevent violent crime.
But the government has also tried more modern methods, including cycling police officers to patrol the parks of Buenos Aires.
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