Feliciana Rodríguez Cultural Center reports theft and warns of insecurity in Santa Cruz’s historic center

The theft at Santa Cruz de la Sierra’s Feliciana Rodríguez Cultural Center left behind more than missing cash and personal belongings. The institution said the incident created a “deep sense of helplessness, vulnerability and insecurity” in a place intended for culture, community and public gathering.

Unidentified people entered the center while no staff were present, according to a statement published on social media. The center said the stolen amount was small and the material damage minor, but warned that cultural spaces can become targets when they are left unattended.

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There is a deep sense of helplessness, vulnerability and insecurity.

The institution described Santa Cruz’s historic center as “our heritage, our memory and one of the main meeting places of our city.” Cultural institutions, libraries, shops, restaurants and homes operate in the area, which it said contributes daily to the life of the regional capital.

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Our heritage, our memory and one of the main meeting places of our city.

The center called for greater attention from authorities responsible for security. It also urged residents and people working in the area to improve neighborhood monitoring and communication. “We also need to recover something fundamental: the commitment of neighbors and those of us who live our lives in the historic center to look after and alert one another,” the statement said.

The center said its security cameras captured images that could help clarify the theft and that it was considering the appropriate steps with the authorities. It added that at least three other culture-related institutions were robbed the previous month: Espacio Infinito, Tienda ArteCampo and the Bellas Artes Educational Unit.

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We also need to recover something fundamental: the commitment of neighbors and those of us who live our lives in the historic center to look after and alert one another.