Quintana Roo to Install School Security Cameras

CHETUMAL — The Quintana Roo Institute of Educational Physical Infrastructure (IFEQROO) has been working in coordination with the state's Ministry of Education (SEQ) on a project to install video surveillance cameras in schools, a measure that could be finalized this year. The initiative aims to address the growing need to protect students and teachers, as well as to prevent theft and vandalism.

Aldo Castro Jiménez, head of IFEQROO, explained that the plan involves connecting the surveillance devices directly to the state's C5 and municipal C4 command centers to enable a rapid response to emergencies. The National College of Professional Technical Education (Conalep) schools were the first to adopt this measure through a signed agreement with the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), allowing the interconnection of their video surveillance systems. The goal is to extend this model to all elementary and secondary schools.

"We are resuming this with the Secretariat of Citizen Security; we will work together with them, and there is a possibility that cameras will be installed and connected directly to the C4," stated Castro Jiménez. "An agreement was just signed with Conalep to install cameras within their campuses to provide support, connected to the C4, obviously. This is to detect any vandalism and protect the schools and ensure the safety of the students in the classrooms. This is the first agreement signed, and we would be seeking, through the Secretariat of Education, to have similar agreements signed for basic and secondary education."

The official acknowledged that the broader proposal requires approval from parents in order to proceed and to determine the necessary investment amounts. In the Conalep agreement, the funding was tripartite, shared between the SSC, the school, and parents themselves. The objective is to guarantee security both outside and inside educational spaces, preventing the entry of dangerous objects, illicit substances, or the infiltration of criminal groups.

For the immediate term, due to the ongoing school break, Castro Jiménez shared that increased patrols will be deployed to protect school infrastructure on inactive days to prevent theft or vandalism.

"We are in talks with the Secretariat of Citizen Security regarding the increased patrols during Holy Week, and obviously, we reiterate our recommendation to parents who live near schools during every vacation to be vigilant and, if anything suspicious occurs, to call 911 immediately so that it can be addressed and any damage to the schools can be prevented," he said.

He added that, as an alternative protective measure, many teachers are currently storing educational materials and computer equipment in their own homes to avoid losses before classes resume.