Mexico City Becomes Most Surveilled City in the Americas

The Government of Mexico City has initiated the installation of 15,200 new security totems equipped with a total of 30,400 high-technology video surveillance cameras. This initiative, part of the "Ojos que te Cuidan" (Eyes Looking After You) program, aims to optimize emergency response capabilities and strengthen technological tools for crime prevention and prosecution in the nation's capital.

"Having these video cameras in the city helps us to prevent insecurity problems and, when they are committed, they are the main ally that the prosecutor's office has to prosecute or to avoid impunity," says Clara Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City. She adds that the technology is not only a deterrent but a fundamental asset for strengthening criminal investigations and delivering justice.

This technological deployment represents the largest single-year increase in video surveillance infrastructure in the history of any state capital in Mexico, according to Salvador Guerrero, Head, Center for Command, Control, Computing, Communications, and Citizen Contact (C5).

With this addition, Mexico City will reach a total of 113,814 operational cameras. This figure positions the capital as the most surveilled urban center in the Americas. As Brugada said during the announcement, Mexico City now has nearly double the public surveillance equipment of New York City, which has 70,882 cameras, and three times that of cities like Chicago or Rio de Janeiro . This effort reflects a public policy focused on technological adoption as a central axis of its security strategy, marking exponential growth from the 43,310 cameras registered in 2019.

The new equipment integrates advanced technology designed for the city's specific needs. Each of the 15,200 totems features two cameras: one fixed lens and another with 360° movement capability, which allows for complete environmental visual coverage. The cameras include advanced systems for person and vehicle detection, night vision for operation in low-light conditions and an automatic alert system that reports any technical failure to the C5 to ensure continuous operation.

Additionally, each totem incorporates an auxiliary button that, when pressed, immediately activates an audible and visual alert at the location. It simultaneously sends a georeferenced report to the C5 and the corresponding Command and Control Center (C2) for the district. This feature is expected to allow for a more efficient and precise dispatch of emergency units.

This system does not operate in isolation. Guerrero says that the C5's video surveillance is integrated with the Ministry of Citizen Security (SSC) for the real-time management of emergencies and criminal activities.

In turn, the recordings provide key input for the Attorney General's Office (FGJ). "The recordings are evidence that strengthens investigation files, allows for the identification of responsible parties, and ensures more solid processes in court," Guerrero says.

The new totems were placed in strategic locations, prioritizing areas with high crime rates, relevant urban equipment, and touristic spaces across all 16 mayoralties. Brugada says that efforts will continue and the next phase will involve installing cameras in the Metro Collective Transportation System, one of the metropolis's main mobility hubs. This project aligns with the administration's commitment to double the total number of video cameras in the city.