The opening of the Digitized Observation Centers puts San Pedro Sula in line with cities such as Ciudad Juárez, in Mexico, and Medellin in Colombia. The project was inaugurated yesterday by the Security Ministry, the Municipality of San Pedro Sula, and private enterprise.

The project began with the installation of 40 cameras, at a cost of two million lempiras. 75% of the cameras are produced by Cargill and the remaining 25% by OkSecurity, Radiocell and Reytel. The goal is to place 800 cameras throughout the city. The Digitized Observation Center has a CCTV system with a capacity for 800 television cameras, automatic view videos, and a vehicle license plate recognition system, with transmission and real-time monitoring of vehicles through GPS and mobile cameras.

The security director for Cargill, Farid Kattum, said the project is to help the community they belong to, enhance public safety.

Security Minister Oscar Alvarez said that because there are not enough police to position on every corner, the cameras will help to observe behavior in San Pedro’s most troubled areas of the city.
The cameras are installed at toll booths, the central park and other public locations. “That way, in case of an emergency, we can dispatch a patrol, and have recorded and useful records to take to court,” said Minister Alvarez.

He explained that the operation of the monitoring system includes a program that can identify when an event occurs that is not normal. “For example, if a car stops, and immediately four doors open, an official can grab the ip camera, and put it on the screen to be recorded while requesting patrols be sent,” explained the official.

The Security Secretary said that San Pedro Sula is the pioneer city in the implementation of this program. “It will be to combat common crime, the transactions of drug trafficking, and kidnapping. If you see suspicious cars with armed men on board somewhere, immediately alert the police, and checkpoints will stop people; all to help improve safety in the city and the country,” he said.

San Pedro Sula Mayor, Juan Carlos Zuniga, at the opening of the Digitized Observation Center, said that the City Police are committed to strengthening security, and the city will support the Municipal and Preventive Police. “We will continue working with installing more cameras in strategic locations. In a month, we hope to have a hundred cameras at specific points,” he stated. Mayor Zuniga added that this is the first step to having a safe city to attract investment.

The Police Chief of San Pedro Sula, Commissioner Hector Ivan Mejia, said that two months ago they began installing the monitoring system that has allowed operators to obtain progress in the fight against crime. “It has succeeded in reducing vehicle and residential theft and kidnapping,” said Mejia.