Puerto Morelos, Q.R. — Several seaside restaurants in Puerto Morelos participated in a recent security course. The course was given by the Secretary of Public Safety and Transit through the Crime Prevention Directorate who provided them with training on surveillance strategies to prevent the theft of diners’ belongings.
The theft prevention course was given after expressed concerns by local businessmen due to the increased incidences of personal theft inside eateries.
The head of Crime Prevention, Fernando Gallardo Aguirre, said that they have had complaints from people who are hunting tourists to steal their belongings when they are not looking, a situation that led them to implement strategies that help to prevent restaurant customers from being robbed.
The Government of Puerto Morelos said the course was given to staff from the Pelicanos, Boquinete, Don Mezcal and Hostería Barroca restaurants starting with an explaination on how these gangs operate.
Gallardo Aguirre said that these gangs of thieves are generally made up of three or four people who wear caps or hats to avoid being identified by surveillance cameras. They also use distraction tactics such as consuming a bottle of water or asking for the menu.
Once they make the theft, they hand it over to another subject who is waiting for them in a vehicle outside the place.
“Restaurant staff were told that one of the measures we are reinforcing is deterrence with more frequent patrolling, but in the event they see suspicious people hanging around the establishment, report it immediately to prevent the crime,” he said.
In the event of a theft where data can be obtained, they will facilitate the arrest of alleged criminals and reiterated the importance of filing the corresponding complaint. Withtout an official complaint, the alleged thieves are released within 48 hours.
Armando Alvarado, representative of the National Chamber of the Restaurant Industry and Seasoned Foods (Canirac) Puerto Morelos, stated that they are in coordination with Public Security to activate actions that allow them to promote the municipality as a safe destination and avoid complicating the stay of the vacationers.
“With the protocols that are being established, we reinforce the security in our premises and that of our diners,” he said.
