SSC Recommendations to Strengthen Commercial Security in December
The Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC) of Mexico City has activated a protocol of preventive measures aimed specifically at merchants, owners and administrators of commercial establishments. This initiative responds to the foreseeable increase in the influx of clients and the intensification of economic activities during the holiday season, a period historically associated with an uptick in crimes such as theft, extortion and fraud. The agency’s approach is proactive, seeking to provide the commercial sector with concrete tools and procedures to mitigate risks.
Technical and Operational Protocol for Establishments
The core of the recommendations focuses on property protection and physical security. The SSC urges to thoroughly verify the optimal functioning of all technological protection systems. This includes reviewing video surveillance cameras (ensuring coverage angles, storage of recordings and equipment status), emergency or silent panic buttons, and intrusion and assault alarms. At the same time, the importance of environmental control is emphasized: keeping the main entrances, internal corridors and, critically, the payment areas free of obstacles and correctly illuminated, to eliminate blind spots and deter illicit activities.
In the area of safe financial management, the authority establishes a rigorous protocol. It is recommended to avoid excessive accumulation of cash in the cash registers, carrying out periodic cash cuts and scheduling bank deposits at variable times and routes so as not to establish predictable patterns. Verifying the authenticity of banknotes using specialized devices (detector pens or ultraviolet light lamps) is a mandatory practice to prevent retailing with counterfeit currency. In addition, it is instructed not to count money in public view, to keep inventories updated and to exercise strict control over access to warehouses and storage areas.
Crime Prevention and Deterrence Strategies
The SSC also addresses situational prevention tactics. When the nature of the business allows it, it suggests implementing policies that limit the entry of customers with large bags or backpacks, a measure aimed at counteracting ant theft or on a smaller scale. To deal with threats of telephone extortion, the protocol is clear: staff must be trained to never provide sensitive information about the operation of the business (such as hours, names of managers or cash movements) through unverified calls. In the event of suspicious or intimidating communication, the immediate action should be to hang up, verify the situation through official channels and report the incident to the authorities.
Finally, the training of human capital is promoted to develop a culture of observation. Employees should be instructed to identify and report unusual behavior, such as individuals walking around the premises with no apparent interest in the products, conducting a thorough reconnaissance of the facilities, or showing excessive nervousness. This collaborative surveillance transforms staff into an active component of the establishment’s comprehensive security scheme.
The methodical implementation of these guidelines seeks not only to protect economic assets, but also to safeguard the integrity of workers and customers, contributing to a safer and more resilient business environment during the peak season. Share these key recommendations with other merchants on your social networks to help create a more protected business community. Explore more content on preventive security and best practices for businesses on our website.
