However, perhaps one of the
biggest challenges to the reform’s success is public perception of this more
humanist approach. No hard statistics have been released, but anecdotal reports
indicate a paradoxical response from the public: they are in favor of the idea
of a more holistic, community-based strategy, but when confronted with continuous soaring crime rates, want an immediate response. Those in poor,
high-crime areas see PNB tactics as “soft” and ineffective, according to Venezuela experts David Smilde and Rebecca
Hanson.