While drug cartels have come to dominate much of Mexico, Mexico City has gained a reputation as an up-and-coming business and tourist hotspot.
But crime is on the rise.
Last year, 2018, was Mexico City's most violent year to date. And 2019 opened with a record 257 murders in just the first two months.
However, one tiny company few people have heard of is now working to address this problem head on. It's partnered with a smart-lighting manufacturer to integrate its cutting-edge security solutions with energy efficiency to literally shed a light on crime.
You see, this company makes security cameras, but that's not all.
These cameras are special.
That's because they don't just film crime as it happens, they can identify specific people and a huge array of more than 500 weapons.
So if you're a known gangster or cartel member, these cameras can recognize your face. If you're carrying a gun, knife, machete, or any one of more than 500 deadly weapons, these cameras will detect it.
In essence, these aren't just cameras; it's more like having another cop on the beat.
And they're installing 40,000 of them.
That's 40,000 cutting-edge security cameras that are being deployed at businesses and residences right alongside energy-efficient smart lighting fixtures. They'll also include motion sensors, wireless alarms, panic buttons, and a mobile app that will give citizens immediate access to 9-1-1 and city services.
Here's what the CEO of the company had to say about it:
"When you look at smart cities, often you see a focus on commercial applications. This deployment is certainly that, but in addition to that it extends the reach of the security umbrella to residences. So this becomes really compelling. Not only are you delivering security and camera capabilities, but video analytics and access to city services and 9-1-1 on a mobile interface."
No doubt, collaboration is key.
For example, I live in Baltimore - a city that's very familiar with crime.
Well, a lot of my neighbors have security cameras, and when a crime occurs it's not uncommon for the police to check for residential video footage that may be helpful.
We also have community groups on Facebook where residents can solicit and share footage. On Monday night, someone crashed into my neighbor's car and fled the scene. By Wednesday, she'd gotten footage of the incident from a neighbor's security camera and tracked down the culprit.
Similarly, police in Baltimore are now using residential cameras to patch together video and track criminals as they flee crime scenes.
That is exactly what this small company is doing - except it's also integrating facial recognition software that can identify known criminals and weapons and alert authorities, giving them the chance to respond before a crime even takes place.
And they're doing it at a relatively low cost.
These kits are relatively inexpensive, costing about $700-$950, which includes the monthly fee for the first two years and $5 a month after that.