Uruguay. The Government of Uruguay confirmed the installation of the first security cameras of 300 that were destined for the surveillance of the department of Cerro Largo.
The Minister of the Interior, Eduardo Bonomi, said in this regard that "the cameras are associated with a rapid police response to a criminal act, so they greatly improve prevention."
The 300 cameras come from a total donation of 2,100 devices from the Chinese government. At the beginning of October, the first 29 cameras were installed, later 40 more were placed and it is expected that the rest of these systems will be put in place before the end of the year. The monitoring center will be located in the departmental Police Headquarters and will have 20 police officers.
The plan will end with the connection of 143 cameras in Melo, 47 in Aceguá, 108 in Rio Branco and two in Laguna Merín, which will be operating soon. "They play an important role in prevention, deterrence, investigation and provision of evidence for justice. Now, when you see the face, there is no doubt about the quality they have. For it not to be just a test, it needs an adequate police response," Minister Bonomi stressed.
The Secretary of State pointed out that China donated in the first instance 1,100 cameras, a mobile police station, buses, cars and electric motorcycles and that, however, it increased the figure to 2,100 cameras, which will reinforce video surveillance in the departments of Rocha, Maldonado, Canelones, San José and Colonia.
In Cerro Largo, homicides decreased from 9 to 3, drug seizures increased considerably, and thefts and robberies increased slightly, he reported.
