"Hopefully they will serve", say hauliers on the Safe Routes

Transporters in Cuautitlán Izcalli expressed cautious optimism about the new security measures known as LOS Senderos Seguros, installed by the local government to combat cargo theft. According to Saúl, a truck driver operating within the Parque Industrial La Luz, one of four designated secure routes, said he was unsure where exactly the cameras were placed. He noted that while drivers must remain vigilant, it is often the people on the road who pose the greatest threat. “We don’t pay much attention to what the government does,” he said. “I hope these measures work.” The Senderos Seguros have been set up in four key industrial zones: La Luz, Cofradía, Industrial Xhala, and Industrial Cuamatla. Each area features night vision cameras, alarms, emergency buttons, and artificial intelligence systems designed to identify vehicle license plates. In La Luz, the system covers 700 meters with eight fixed cameras, one alarm, and eight panic buttons. The initiative aims to reduce the frequency of cargo robberies, which have become a persistent issue in the region. Saúl, who has been driving trucks for nine years, described the ongoing challenge. “Thieves surely study the entry and exit points,” he said. “They know how things operate, and they won’t let authorities see anything. This situation isn’t going to stop, it’s tough.” His comments reflect a broader sentiment among transport workers, many of whom feel the current efforts fall short of addressing the root causes of the problem. Rolando, another truck driver working for a supermarket company, echoed similar concerns. With 14 years of experience, he argued that even increased surveillance would not deter organized criminal groups. “These thieves find ways to steal every day,” he said. “When they come armed, there’s nothing we can do except comply.” His perspective highlights the limitations of technological solutions alone in combating crime. In the Xhala industrial zone, identified by the local government as a hotspot for cargo theft, the Senderos Seguros cover 800 meters with eight fixed cameras, one alarm, and eight panic buttons. Efrén, a mover for a relocation company, emphasized that each business employs different security protocols. However, he pointed out that the real danger arises when criminals arrive armed. “There’s nothing we can do in such cases,” he said. “We just have to accept their demands.” The third secure route, located in Cuamatla, spans 1,100 meters and includes eight fixed cameras, one alarm, and eight panic buttons. Here, Aldair Osorno, a truck driver for a beverage company, highlighted the dangers of traveling along the Mexico, Querétaro highway and the Circuit Exterior Mexiquense. These roads, he explained, are prime locations for cargo thefts. “It’s dangerous to drive here,” he said. “I’ve seen how robberies happen.” Osorno also called for stricter legal consequences for those caught stealing cargo. “Technology should go hand-in-hand with harsher sentences,” he said. “Otherwise, these cameras will just be more posts on the streets. They’ll see where thieves escape, and maybe catch them once, but how do we prevent them from following again?” Finally, the fourth secure route is located in Cofradía, covering half a kilometer with five fixed cameras, one alarm, and two panic buttons. Antonio Zeferino, a logistics worker for a courier company, confirmed that thefts frequently occur along the Mexico, Querétaro highway. “These thieves make it easy,” he said. “They take our goods without resistance.” The city’s mayor, Daniel Serran, mentioned that Cuautitlán Izcalli serves as a major industrial and logistical corridor in the country. The intersection with the Mexico, Querétaro highway naturally increases the risk of cargo theft. While the Senderos Seguros represent a step forward, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain. Transporters continue to face daily threats, and the long-term success of the initiative depends on whether additional enforcement and legal reforms accompany the technological upgrades.