Safety and security in Spain provoke every kind of comment. Some insist we live in a safe country; others claim crime is out of control. Amid that dichotomy emerges a truth rather characteristic of our outlook on life: if something fails, we can rely on the 'neighborhood alarm system'—the eyes of those who always know more about your life than you do yourself: the neighbors.
This chapter will explore how the concept of security has evolved in Spain, comparing it with the American experience and analyzing the particular features of both systems of protection. From past to present, we will see how security has changed over time, how social perceptions influence public policy, and where we are heading in an increasingly technological, globalized future.