**Over 600 Illegal Surveillance Cameras Removed in Tijuana and Mexicali**
In a concerted effort to curb unauthorized surveillance, the government of Baja California has successfully dismantled over 600 illicit surveillance cameras since Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila took office. The majority of these devices were confiscated in Mexicali and Tijuana, with Tijuana accounting for the majority. Despite the large-scale operation, no arrests have been made.
The most recent operation occurred on March 26, 2025, in Tijuana’s Libertad neighborhood. A joint effort by the Municipal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection, the State Citizen Security Force, the National Guard, and the Mexican Army led to the removal of 57 hidden cameras that were perched on public lighting poles along C.F.C. Street. These cameras are now in the custody of the State Attorney General’s Office for further investigation.
Prior to this, on February 25, 86 cameras with unknown origins were extracted from the Zona Norte in Tijuana. Brought down by the Baja California Security Secretary’s team, these operations signify a relentless pursuit to eradicate illegal surveillance in public areas.
A significant operation in Mexicali on March 22 saw the collaborative removal of 10 illicit cameras from neighborhoods including Emiliano Zapata and Misión de Puebla. These were attached to poles owned by the Federal Electricity Commission and Teléfonos del Noroeste.
These strategic efforts are focused on public infrastructure where surveillance equipment often goes unapproved, posing security and privacy concerns. While the cameras pose their own risks, some operations have encountered danger; reportedly, a Teléfonos del Noroeste worker was shot at by Carlos Daniel “N” while removing one such camera. Fortunately, the suspect was later apprehended by local police.
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**Secondary Article: The Implications of Unauthorized Surveillance**
Unauthorized surveillance in public spaces has become a growing concern, with experts highlighting privacy invasion and potential misuse of collected data as significant threats. In the wake of the ongoing removal of clandestine cameras in Tijuana and Mexicali, many question the purpose and the entities behind these devices.
Surveillance technology, while crucial for legitimate security purposes, can become a tool for monitoring civilians without consent, raising ethical and legal issues. The global rise in such surveillance means citizens and local authorities must remain vigilant against privacy violations disguised as security measures.
Data collected by unauthorized means can lead to serious misconduct, including data breaches and targeting of individuals by criminal organizations. As demonstrated in recent events, the removal of these cameras has occasionally subjected maintenance workers to violent reprisals, suggesting hostile intentions behind the installations.
Experts urge local governments to strengthen public communication and engage with communities to educate citizens on the importance of privacy and the lawful use of surveillance. Enhanced regulation and oversight are essential to protect individuals from unwarranted surveillance and grasp who might be benefiting from such measures.