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A new safety initiative is being put into action in Cancun that aims to enhance the safety and security of both travelers and locals alike.
This comes at a time of huge investment in policing in Cancun, a drive that was sorely needed after the worrying rises in crime rates in the last few years.
Smart Monitoring
Across the destination, no fewer than 40 new security camera installations are being erected, with the aim of many more in the near future.
These aren’t simple CCTV cameras though; they are what’s known as smart monitoring points (SMPs). Each SMP has a full 360-degree view of the surrounding area, as well as being linked directly to Cancun’s central surveillance command center (C5).
This allows the 24/7 manned C5 center to monitor at all times, and in the event of a criminal action, swiftly deploy ground assets to deal with the issue.
Across Cancun, the C5 center is already carrying out this duty, although the game-changer here is the new scale of coverage and the potential psychological effect it can have on potential criminals.
No matter how small or large the crime, they all have something in common, the perpetrators desire to remain anonymous and get away without capture.
With such extensive surveillance, the potential areas of operation for potential criminals are getting smaller in Cancun, nowhere more so than in the tourist hot spots like the hotel zone.
What Is The C5?
As mentioned above, the C5 center is the surveillance hub for Cancun, keeping an active and uninterrupted watch over the destination.
The operators stationed here have the ability to react immediately to any perceived issues and have direct dispatching abilities that allow them to coordinate the tourism police, municipal police, state police, and even the Guardia Nacional (national guard) in a response.
While still in its infancy, it has already proved to be hugely beneficial to the safety of travelers in Cancun, helping to turn around the criminal situation in the destination.
One Piece Of The Puzzle
Throughout the past 12 months, there has been no end to the improvements being made to the security landscape in Cancun.
The destination is all too aware that tourism is its lifeblood, and for that to remain so, travelers need to feel confident in their safety while visiting on vacation.
Preventative policing, such as the expansion of the C5, is a huge piece of the puzzle in increasing travel safety, although it isn’t the only piece.
Efforts are also being made to improve safety and security for travelers in less threatening situations, the most prominent example of this being the new tourism law that recently came into effect across the state of Quintana Roo (home to Cancun).
This new law aims to improve traveler safety and enhance the overall tourism industry by applying strict regulations for the vacation rental market for platforms like Airbnb. As well as strengthening the State Tourism Registry and tourism information system, all with the goal of ensuring health and safety legislations aren’t flouted.
In that regard, Cancun is putting itself into its strongest position ever when it comes to traveler safety, never before have visitors to the destination received this level of protection across the board.
Honest Expectations
It should be noted that no matter how extensive the security systems in place are, crime will never be completely wiped out.
With that being said, the odds of a traveler being the victim of crime in Cancun are very low. The majority of incidents recorded aren’t aimed at travelers, and statistically speaking, most American visitors are safer on vacation in Cancun than in many cities in the United States.
As long as travelers keep honest expectations and take simple precautions to mitigate potentially being targeted by criminals, such as not wearing out expensive jewelry and not flashing valuables in public, then the odds of a carefree and peaceful vacation in Cancun are close to guaranteed.
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Marco
Tuesday 7th of November 2023
I travel to cancun every year Since 1992 My family and I were just there in September, for the 1st time We experienced this criminal element My phone was stolen on the beach we are members at Sunset Royal, on a night out to the clubs My nephew was grabbed by 4 men carried from the street to the dark beach and robbed!money shoes socks were taken He fought with his assailants and was able after screaming for help to reach security personnel Police Who escorted him back to our hotel He did sustain injuries Thankfully not life threatening. We took 43 people down there So many do not wish to return I hope this problem will be eradicated, or tourism will suffer!
Jean Desjardins
Monday 6th of November 2023
Well, the installation of those cameras would certainly make some difference. I agree that crime will always exist but this improvement will certainly make some petty criminals think twice before acting out. I will soon be going to Cancun with my wife and some family members. We are looking forward in spending time there.