In Guatemala City robbery rates in 2011 went up to more than 200 a day, 6 out of them ending up in murder. More than 80% of these crimes happen in the same 20 spots during rush hours - city spots already known by people, and of course by the Police.

Since the authorities were doing nothing to stop the thieves, The Organisation 'Youngsters Against Violence' turned to the oldest experts to scare them away: The Scarecrooks.20 scarecrows wearing the Guatemalan Police uniform were placed in the high-crime spots to alert the victims and expose the authorities' lack of action. Within minutes, Scarecrooks became viral and few hours later became the news. With a cost of only US$700, we achieved a media coverage with an advertising equivalency of US$190,000 twice the budget of an average advertising campaign in Guatemala.The campaign raised such awareness that made Government officials take action immediately, capturing 16 burglars that very same day, sending police officers to the 20 high crime spots the day after and dismantling a stolen goods market few days later.Scarecrows, the oldest way to scare crooks, proved once again to be as effective as ever.

We turned to the oldest experts to scare thieves away: The Scarecrooks.To alert the victims and expose the authorities lack of action, 20 scarecrows wearing the Guatemalan Police uniform were placed in the high-crime spots on the 31st of January during the rush hours.Flyers were given to pedestrians and drivers with tips on how to prevent and report robberies.Once the Scarecrooks became viral in the web and some important media spontaneously covered the news a press release was sent to the most important newspapers, radio and TV stations to reassure the coverage.

Within minutes, Scarecrooks became viral and a few hours later became the news.

It was a trending topic in Guatemala It made the front cover of the 4 more important newspapers; it was discussed in editorials, drawn by cartoonists and in all radio news programs.With only $700, we achieved a media coverage with an advertising equivalency of US$190,000, twice the budget of an average advertising campaign in Guatemala.The campaign raised such awareness that made Government Officials take action immediately:- 16 burglars were captured that very same day- Police officers sent to the 20 high crime spots the day after to replace our Scarecrooks.- A stolen goods market was dismantled a few days later.