Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Authorities say an operation in underway to review all video surveillance cameras throughout the state. At a press conference Monday, the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) said all 11 municipalities are being reviewed.
The extensive review is being made after illegal surveillance cameras were found installed in public places in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen. Between those four municipalities, police have located nearly 100 illegally installed surveillance cameras so far this year.
SSC head Rear Admiral Julio César Gómez Torres said all cameras are being reviewed to ensure they are legally installed and registered. He said unauthorized cameras are considered a potential threat to security. Any cameras found not to be registered by the state will be removed.
Gómez Torres made the comment Monday at a press conference held by the Security Roundtable of the Peacebuilding Coordination Group in Quintana Roo. Gómez Torres announced that operations are continuing in the 11 municipalities to verify the status of video surveillance cameras installed in public spaces, which are not permitted.
“Video surveillance cameras installed in public spaces such as light or telephone poles, trees, traffic lights or any type of municipal or state infrastructure, must be officially authorized and registered.
“Operating them without the proper permits can pose a risk to public privacy and to the integrity of investigations conducted by authorities. For this reason, unauthorized devices are considered a potential threat to security and the current legal framework,” he explained.
“Each camera detected must be reported and verified, and if it does not correspond to those registered by the State, it will be removed.”
According to Gómez Torres, there is close coordination with members of the various security agencies and all levels of government so that when conducting patrols, they can identify locations where rogue cameras exist and proceed according to the agreed-upon protocol, thereby reducing the capabilities of criminal groups.
He also said that work is being done in collaboration with the institutions to update the State Video Surveillance Law to strengthen action against those who illegally place these devices in public spaces.
“The public is once again urged to report these types of devices to 911 or 089 for anonymous reporting. Likewise, we invite those who have these devices on their properties to participate in the Guardianes 911 program, which involves linking their video cameras to the Collaborative Monitoring systems of the various Command Centers and thus creating a stronger support network against crime,” he said.
“With actions like this, the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) reaffirms its commitment to legality, transparency, and the safety of the people of Quintana Roo.”
